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Four men have been arrested on suspicion of people smuggling following "dawn raids" across the country.

The men are suspected of bringing people into the UK on cars, ferries and commercial flights.

About 50 people are believed to have entered the country illegally since 2020 using the criminal network, according to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Office.

Michael Tomlinson, minister for countering illegal migration, said people smugglers would be brought to justice "wherever [they] are in the UK".

The early morning raids by immigration enforcement officers were carried out at addresses in Middlesbrough, Huddersfield, Southampton and Stockport on Wednesday.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Office described those arrested as being "of British and Kurdish nationality". They have been detained for further questioning.

Paul Harvey, criminal and financial investigator at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Office, praised the officers involved, describing the raids as a "large and well-planned operation".

The group is believed to have operated across Europe, with smuggling attempts taking place at borders with the Republic of Ireland and France.

The suspects are thought to have manufactured fake passports, national identity cards and blank visas - before selling the documents for more than £1,000 apiece, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Office said.

Those brought to the UK were predominantly Kurdish and Vietnamese nationals.

"These arrests make clear if you are involved in this kind of criminality, you can expect our teams to find you and bring you to justice – wherever you are in the UK," Mr Tomlinson said.

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