By Jamie Wiseman and Megan Titley

A LARGE manhunt is underway in Arlingham with police patrolling both the skies and roads searching for suspected illegal immigrants.

About 19 people were seen running away from a lorry in the village earlier this afternoon.

Police have arrested some of the people who escaped on suspicion of immigration offences and are currently searching every car that leaves the village with sniffer dogs.

A police helicopter, cars and vans are setting up checkpoints on every road out of the village.

One man, who did not wanted to be named, contacted the SNJ to say: “Police are searching for a number of people. I’ve seen about 10 cars and even a riot van going past.

“The coach I was driving was just pulled over and searched on Bridge Road, at the canal near at Frampton on Severn.

“They checked pretty thoroughly under all the seats and made me open up the boot.

“I was asked where I’d come from and if I’d picked up any strangers on the way.

“When I asked what on earth was going on the policeman said they had caught two people they were searching for, but there were still more on the loose.

“They are now letting cars into Arlingham but all those leaving are getting searched. It’s chaos.”

A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said: "Police were called at about 2.30pm this afternoon to reports that around 19 people were seen running away from a lorry in Arlingham.

"A number of those people were located and arrested on suspicion of immigration offences and are currently in custody.

"Local officers along with the police helicopter are currently in the process of locating the remaining individuals.

"We would like to thank the local community for their support throughout this incident."

At 5.20pm NPAS Benson, a police helicopter, confirmed that it was still looking for two suspects but had searched a large area with no trace of the individuals.

Are you at the scene? Call reporter Megan Titley on 01453769422.