Ten arrested after powerboat smuggling Albanian migrants docks in Cornwall harbour

Ten people have been arrested after a small powerboat carrying migrants arrived on the scenic Cornwall coastline, according to the Home Office.

Devon and Cornwall Police were alerted at approximately 3am yesterday, after reports that several people had disembarked from a boat at Mylor Harbour, before getting into a van and leaving the area.

Police officers attended the scene and arrested two Albanian nationals on suspicion of immigration offences, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

HM Coastguard also responded to the incident, with Falmouth’s Inshore lifeboat crew deployed as a precaution at around 4am.

A Home Office spokesman said the incident was an “isolated and rare” occurrence, and confirmed that 10 people had been arrested.

One further person, believed to be under the age of 18, was referred to social services.

The spokesman said: “There is an ongoing investigation, and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

The Home Office said clandestine arrivals of this kind are uncommon in this region, adding that the vessel involved was a small powerboat carrying a limited number of people.

The investigation has since been taken over by Criminal and Financial Investigations Wales and South West.

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