Parents praised for "compassion" over suspected migrants at Hampshire school
Two people were found in the luggage compartment of a coach returning from a school trip to France
Last updated 14th Feb 2024
A school in Hampshire has praised staff and parents for their "compassion" after two suspected illegal migrants were discovered hiding on a coach which had returned from a trip to France.
They were found in the luggage compartment of the vehicle, when it arrived at Hounsdown School in Totton on Saturday afternoon.
In a statement, Hounsdown School said: "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."
According to reports, the coach had just brought pupils home from a trip to Boulogne University, located around 20 miles south of Calais, when the discovery was made as luggage was being unloaded.
The coach is understood to have travelled back into the UK via the channel tunnel.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: "We were called just before 5.15pm on Saturday to reports that two people, who were possibly illegal immigrants, had been found at Hounsdown School in Totton."
No arrests were made, a spokesperson added.
The Home Office did not comment specifically on the incident, but a spokesperson said: "The government works closely with law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal migration in all its forms."