A MAJOR police operation was launched after 11 illegal immigrants fled from the back of a lorry as it returned from Holland to March. Police were immediately called to the MBMG depot in Whittlesey Road after the back of the lorry was opened and the immig

A MAJOR police operation was launched after 11 illegal immigrants fled from the back of a lorry as it returned from Holland to March.

Police were immediately called to the MBMG depot in Whittlesey Road after the back of the lorry was opened and the immigrants jumped out.

A 999 call swiftly brought police cars streaming into the area and officers managed to catch eight of them but three are still thought to be at large.

Included among the eight detained were three women and a 14-year-old boy: all are thought to have come originally from Nigeria.

"Five of those detained were taken into our custody facilities at Wisbech and the other three, including a 17-year-old girl, were taken to Huntingdon," said a police spokesman.

"All were of no fixed abode and once they had been dealt with were all handed over to the immigrant service."

The spokesman said the force helicopter was being deployed elsewhere and was unable to help March police track the immigrants.

The incident happened last Thursday morning and police confirmed that the prompt call by the company enabled a speedy response.

Pepe Bascetta, managing director of MBMG, said a swift response meant police were on the scene quickly.

"We have a standard procedure and together with the police, the situation was dealt with very efficiently," he said.

He said a "third party" owned the lorry involved which was bringing materials to the March depot.