A man in his sixties was arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry into the UK

Four suspected illegal migrants have been spotted running off into the Essex countryside after hiding in a lorry which was understood to have travelled from Portugal.

Horrified onlookers recorded video footage appearing to show the quartet cut a hole through the soft top of the lorry.

The incident took place in a layby off the A414 near Maldon in Essex at around 3pm on August 3.

Officers from Essex Police descended on the layby shortly after a video of the incident went viral on social media.

Photographs shared on local Facebook groups appeared to show officers at the scene, with the lorry packed with boxes and cases.

Essex Police arrested a man in his sixties on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry into the UK.

A force spokeswoman said: “We were called to reports of around four people seen running from a lorry in a layby on the A414 in Maldon at just before 4pm yesterday (Monday, August 3).

“Officers quickly attended and searched the area. They have not been located at this stage, but work is ongoing.

“One person, a man in his 60s, has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry into the UK, he is currently in custody and our enquiries are continuing.”

The arrest came amid fears of an overspill from the continent after more than 60,000 African migrants stormed the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick said: Are these the first migrants from Ceuta to reach our shores?

“A group of illegal migrants climbed out of the back of a lorry from Southern Portugal that would have passed through Spain. Deport. Now.”

The lorry involved in the incident is believed to be owned by Algarve Removals, a company based near the layby which runs a weekly removal service from the Portuguese holiday hotspot to the UK.

John Scott, a local businessman who runs the removal company, said he is opposed to illegal immigration and stressed the firm takes every precaution to prevent stowaways hiding onboard their vehicles.

He said: “We would like to categorically confirm that we do not condone this and are deeply upset and frustrated this has happened to our company.

“Having traded for over 30 years, we have never experienced an incident of this nature before. The security of our vehicles is something we take extremely seriously at all times.

“The vehicle in question was subject to a security inspection by French and UK Border Force in Calais prior to its departure to the UK. No issues were raised and our lorry was allowed through.

“There were stringent checks at Calais with dogs alongside and carbon monoxide sniffers inside and we got the green light, good to go, and it got on the Channel Tunnel all the way to Maldon.

“At this stage, I can share that we believe the individuals gained access to the trailer through the roof where a large hole was cut during our overnight stay near Rouen, France."

Mr Scott, who insisted the vehicle did not stop after leaving Rouen, promised the firm will now introduce extra measures to ensure lorries are not put in the same situation again.

Despite a vast majority of illegal entries being recorded in Kent, Essex continues to witness arrivals as the UK continues to grapple with the ongoing migrant crisis.

Holland-on-Sea, which is just 40 miles from Maldon, remains at the centre of a migration controversy after six men landed on the town's beach on July 1.

Meanwhile, Adrian and Joanne Fenton were initially fined £1,500 after finding a migrant on the back of their motorhome.

The couple, who live in Heybridge, eventually had the fine revoked after sustained pressure was put on the Home Office.