A group of school pupils returning from a trip to France were stunned after they found migrants hiding in the luggage hold of their coach.
Two men believed to be in their early 20s were discovered amongst the suitcases after the bus pulled up outside Houndown School, Southampton, having just travelled through the Eurotunnel at Calais.
The group, which was made up of students from years nine and 10 and their teachers, had visited Boulogne University, which is located approximately 20 miles south of the crossing point.
One of the stowaways tried to flee once the door was opened but was stopped by parents who were waiting to collect their children.
Two migrants were found in the luggage hold of a coach carrying school children returning from a trip to France
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A child’s luggage was allegedly covered in urine and left in a “crumpled” state.
Police were called to the incident, which one parent described as “horrendous”, however no arrests have been made.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “We were called just before 17:15 GMT on Saturday to reports that two people, who were possibly illegal immigrants, had been found at Hounsdown School in Totton.”
The Home Office has refused to clarify where the two men had been detained, however said: “The government works closely with law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal migration in all its forms."
Two men believed to be in their early 20s were discovered amongst the suitcases after the bus pulled up outside Houndown School, Southampton
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“It was horrendous,” one mum said.
Describing the moment the men were found, she said: "[My son's] luggage was covered in urine and his belongings crumpled by one of the men being on top of it.
“I asked them (in French) if they spoke English or French and they replied French, I was about to ask them where they’d come from but got ushered away by the teachers.”
Several parents who saw the incident have spoken at their shock at seeing the stowaways.
Posting on social media, one parent said: “Just picked my daughter up from her school trip to France. The coach driver opened up the bottom to get the suitcases and found three immigrants sat in there.”
The group had visited Boulogne University, which is located approximately 20 miles south of the Calais
PA“They looked completely fine and comfy,” another added.
“Not being funny but I'm angry about it. They got access to a coach carrying school children.
”It's one thing to get in a lorry but a very different thing to manage to get in to a coach without being seen.”
He added: “Was an absolute shocker to see a person sat there as the kids went forward to get their bags.”
Hounsdown School released a statement regarding the incident: "Following the Hampshire Police statement released over the weekend the school can confirm that two possible illegal immigrants were discovered hiding in the baggage compartment of a coach bringing a school trip back from France.
"Police attended promptly although there was no sense of threat to the school community in attendance. The two people found were treated with compassion by staff and parents throughout. Investigations into the matter rest with the Home Office, working with other agencies as required, and therefore we have no further comment to make.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Government works closely with law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal migration in all its forms.
“Our Illegal Migration Act will mean that people arriving in the UK illegally are detained and promptly removed to their country of origin or a safe third country.”
