Four people have been arrested for their role in a suspected organised crime group which has allegedly smuggled hundreds of Albanian asylum seekers to the UK illegally.

The raids were the latest phase of a significant National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into a major people smuggling ring.

A 34-year-old man was arrested by the NCA in Beckenham.

Two women aged 27 and 29 and a 22-year-old man were also held in the Oxford area.

The arrests came after NCA officers detained seven people in July last year, as part of the same investigation.

Investigators believe the organised crime group used lorries and hired vans to transport individuals from northern France.

The group have alleged connections in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland.

"It demonstrates our continued determination to do all we can to stop the criminal gangs who threaten the security of the UK border..."

It is believed that asylum seekers were paying the group upwards of £20,000 to reach the UK.

The four latest suspects were detained on suspicion on facilitating illegal immigration.

The three people arrested in Oxford have since been released under investigation and the Beckenham man was bailed pending further inquiries.

Richard Harrison from the NCA said: "This is a second phase of arrests made as part of this investigation, which we believe will have significantly disrupted a major organised network involved in the smuggling of large numbers of people to the UK illegally.

"It demonstrates our continued determination to do all we can to stop the criminal gangs who threaten the security of the UK border and treat migrants as a commodity to be profited from."

Last year the charity Crimestoppers launched the campaign “Say no to people smuggling” calling on drivers to report suspicious activity anonymously on 0800 555111, for more information, click here