TWO illegal immigrants were caught trying to enter the country at Poole Port during a police crackdown on security.

The National Crime Agency, Border Force and Dorset Police were carrying out checks at ports, airports and marinas in Dorset.

It was part of a weeklong operation which saw every single vessel to enter the port at Poole searched in an attempt to deter, disrupt and detect criminality.

During the searches two illegal immigrants were found on a freight cargo vessel on Saturday (Oct1).

Assistant Chief Constable David Lewis, who was the strategic commander of the operation, said they were both believed to be Albanian.

Describing them as "economic migrants" he said: "They are claiming to be under the age of 18 and are currently in the hands of Border Force for processing,."

Operation Vedika saw around 40 additional Dorset Police officers take part in a crackdown on port security which resulted in every passenger ferry and freight vessel searched as it arrived into port.

In total, 48 unaccompanied freight searches and 14 individual searches were conducted during the operation.

Two vessels were boarded and nine people searched for drugs. Two arrests were made however neither was for a drug offence.

In order to build working relationships and form engagement opportunities, general aviation sites, maritime sites and travel agents were visited and briefed during the operation.

Recently there has been an increase in concern about the perceived vulnerability in ports across Dorset.

Earlier this year Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill called for an urgent review of the UK’s border security mid fears of a “catastrophic attack”.

Writing to the then Home Secretary Theresa May, he said the nation was “seriously exposed in maritime port security”.

Speaking about last week’s operation he said: “:For the last year I have been campaigning for the Home Office to carry out a full review of small port security as I remain concerned that very little has been done to increase protection to our coastal borders.

“During last week’s maritime operation two illegal immigrants were detected during a search of a freight container in Poole. While I welcome the fact they have been detained on this side of the Channel, the big unknown is how many get through?

“A recent report by the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration revealed a chaotic scenario with only three Border Force cutters defending our shores, an aerial capability that stopped months ago, and a team of maritime Border Force staff that received gradings of “poor” in 26 out of 27 areas concerning knowledge of threats and risks facing the UK. The Inspection reveals clear confusion and lack of direction. This is an absolute scandal.

“I want to see a commitment from Government to improve our existing security measures. Unless we act now, the effects of having poor or insufficient security on our coastal borders could be disastrous.

"We live in dangerous times and we are only as strong as our weakest link. It is quite clear that small ports are the weakest link.”

During last week's operation 100 per cent of planes that flew into Bournemouth Airport were also searched - but nothing was found.

ACC Lewis added: "This operation has provided reassurance that the intelligence led approach we take in Dorset is effective. It has highlighted the importance of our continued vigilance around this kind of activity.

"We are committed to working with our partner agencies and our maritime and aviation communities to build intelligence and keep our ports safe."

Dorset Police ask that the public continue to support their work by passing any information to them online at dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.