TWO SUSPECTED illegal immigrants have been arrested in Thornbury after being dropped off by a lorry on the edge of the town earlier today.

The two Iranian men were spotted in the town by police in the early hours of this morning, and were arrested shortly afterwards on the High Street after boarding a bus.

Police believe the two men to be part of a larger group of 14 who were let out in a lay-by on the A38.

The whereabouts of the other 12 members of the group are presently unknown.

Thornbury beat manager PC Sean White said: “Two men, who we believe to be Iranian and in their mid-20s, were arrested by officers on suspicion of being illegal immigrants.

“The two men walked to Gillingstool and boarded the number 72 bus, in which time they were spotted by police.

“They were then picked up by officers from Patchway as it stopped outside the Co-op shop on Thornbury High Street.”

“The two individuals speak broken English but we have been able to learn from them that they travelled as part of a group of 14 and were dropped off in the lay-by on the A38 after travelling in the lorry for over 40 hours.

“They have also told us that their plan was to acquire a lift to Birmingham.”

PC White added: “At present, the rest of the group are outstanding.

“After a patrol of the nearby area, we have scaled down our search for the outstanding individuals, pending further calls.”