Seven suspected illegal immigrants who were found in the back of a lorry in Paddock Wood have been released while the Home Office investigates their cases.

The group, from Eritrea, was transferred to an immigration facility after being discovered on Wednesday.

Kent Police have confirmed they attended the scene after passersby were alerted to the group’s presence when they started banging on the walls of the refrigerated fruit lorry which was reportedly cooled to a temperature of 1 °C.

A Kent Police spokesman said: “Police were called after reports of seven men in the back of a lorry in Transfesa Road.

“No one else has been arrested in connection with the incident.”

Officers transferred the men to the Home Office immigration enforcement centre at Dover.

A spokesman for the Home Office confirmed that five of the group have been released temporarily while immigration officers investigate their claims and will have to attend meetings with officers every two weeks.

While the two remaining members are in the care of social services after being found to be minors.

He said: “Kent Police arrested five Eritrean men, aged between 26 and 42, following an incident at Paddock Wood. They have been ordered to report to the Home Office regularly while their cases are progressed and face removal from the country if found to have no leave to remain.

“Two further males, believed to be minors, are currently in the care of social services. They are due to be questioned by immigration officers at a later date.”