Police rescue 18 people from back of refrigerated lorry near Peterborough

At about 11.30am police received a call from the driver of the HGV, who had noticed the people on board and was concerned for their welfare.

Paramedics attended the scene, but nobody was injured. The people’s welfare will now be handled by the immigration services.

This incident follows a similar one on Wednesday (17 February) last week where three men were rescued from the back of a HGV on the A14 near Brampton.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “Stories like this may be distressing, but highlight that slavery and trafficking are real and police need the public’s help.

“Warning signs to look out for, particularly at service stations or lay-bys, include:

“People emerging from a lorry or HGV, especially suddenly or as if in a rush not to be seen

“Hearing banging from the inside of a lorry – always call us on 999, especially if the lorry is refrigerated group of people heading towards, or going inside of, the back of a lorry

“If anything about the vehicle doesn’t seem quite right – for example if produce is being thrown from it or something is being done to catch the attention of other motorists

“Anyone who sees any of the above is urged to call police on 999 immediately and take a note of the vehicle registration number, even if it has foreign plates.”

For more information about human trafficking or modern slavery, including how to report concerns and more warning signs to look out for, visit the force’s dedicated web page: https://bit.ly/3kjbMo6