A GROUP of suspected illegal Vietnamese immigrants found in a van stopped by police on the M5 today (fri) were this afternoon being quizzed at the unlikely venue of Chudleigh Town Hall.

Police rounded up as many as 30 suspects discovered holed up in the vehicle which was intercepted by officers as they headed north at Cullompton just after 9am.

Four British nationals in a car were also arrested at the scene and taken into custody on suspicion of offences under the Modern Day Slavery Act.

One of the quartet was rushed straight to hospital after being taken unwell with what are thought to be chest pains.

The Vietnamese were placed in police vehicles and hire vans and driven back down the M5 for ‘processing’ by police and Border Force officials at the hush-hush destination of Chudleigh Town Hall.

One surprised witness outside the council venue told the Mid-Devon Advertiser: ‘I saw these vans turn up outside the Town Hall at about 1pm.

‘Then, in the white police vehicle, I saw about eight Asian people crammed inside. They came out with their belongings – coats and rucksacks mostly. They looked quite dishevelled and went into the Town Hall. It was such an odd sight for a Friday lunch-hour in Chudleigh.’

He added: ‘The police were being very cagey about what was happening and what they were doing.’

Another witness, who also gave his name but did not want it printed, said: ‘I saw at least two vehicles, although I heard there had been more.

‘There was also what looked like a PCSO carrying a basket of food into the Town Hall. I think the immigrants were being held on the top floor.’

Police were initially alerted just before 7.10am today after being tipped off that a group of people were seen getting into the back of a van from a boat at Newlyn in Cornwall.

A spokesman at police HQ in Exeter confirmed this afternoon: ‘The van and another vehicle were stopped by officers on the M5 near junction 28 just after 9am and around 30 foreign nationals, believed to be Vietnamese, were located in the van.

‘Four men have been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Modern Day Slavery Act. Three men have been taken into police custody. One of the men has been taken to hospital and remains under police guard.’

The spokesman added: ‘The National Crime Agency, Border Force and Immigration Enforcement and other relevant partner agencies have been informed and are assisting police.

‘Inquires remain ongoing at this time in Newlyn and at Cullompton.’

The spokesman revealed that the suspected immigrants were taken to ‘a rest centre’ - although the location was said to be ‘unconfirmed.’

It’s understood that the new arrivals could be staying at the Town Hall over the weekend, and possibly into next week.

Anyone who saw the suspects before their arrests, and anyone with information, is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 93 of April 12.

* Only last week some seven Sudanese and Albanian illegal immigrants were detained after being found hiding on top a lorry stopped by police at the Bovey Straights just off Drum Bridges.

Police intervened after being told men were seen climbing on top of the lorry outside Plymouth. It’s thought their point of entry into the UK was the Roscoff to Plymouth ferry.