SALCOMBE fishermen detained an illegal immigrant this week – and then gave him tea and sandwiches until the police arrived.

A Portuguese registered lorry docked at Plymouth on Monday and an Albanian illegal immigrant was detained. The lorry then continued to Salcombe where it was due to meet a fishing vessel at the Fish Quay.

Sgt Dave Green said: 'On arrival at Salcombe, a second male was seen by fishermen to drop from beneath the lorry.

'The man ran off and was pursued and caught after a short chase by Salcombe fishermen, who called the UK Border Agency.

'When police arrived the fishermen were looking after their 'captive' very humanely – feeding him tea and sandwiches with true British hospitality.

'We got the call from UKBA and arrived on scene 23 minutes after receiving the call.

'This second man was also Albanian. We drove him back to Plymouth Ferry Port where we handed him over to UKBA staff.

'Both illegal immigrants were escorted on board the Armorique ferry and returned to Roscoff.'

Sgt Green said their hiding place had been the cavity housing the two spare wheels underneath the rear of the articulated trailer behind the rear axles.

'The man caught in Salcombe was tired, dirty and wet through, having survived an extremely dangerous journey.

Sgt Green said: 'I would like to thank the Salcombe fishermen whose quick thinking resulted in the arrest and expulsion of this man.

'They looked after him with good humour and compassion – qualities that reflect well on this country abroad.'