Totton: 'Calm' pupils praised after suspected migrants found on coach

Hampshire Constabulary was called to the school near Southampton on Saturday afternoon

A school has thanked pupils for being "calm and compassionate" after suspected illegal migrants were discovered on a coach.

Police were called after the "possibly illegal immigrants" were found hidden in the luggage compartment of the vehicle, which had returned to Totton from a school trip to France.

In a letter to parents, Hounsdown School said there had been "no sense of threat to students, parents or staff".

No arrests have been made, police said.

One of the men was photographed after being discovered

The coach, which is thought to have been carrying about 36 Year 9 and 10 pupils from the Hampshire school, had arrived back from a two-day trip to Boulogne-sur-Mer.

One mother, who had been at the school to collect her daughter, told the BBC she saw one male with his hood up and thought the pair to be aged between 20 and 30.

"When the coach arrived back and the luggage compartment was opened, teachers found two suspected illegal immigrants hiding in the luggage area," the letter read.

The school went on to say that the two people complied with instructions and waited for Hampshire Constabulary to arrive, under staff supervision.

"Clearly, Saturday's incident is a serious although very unusual matter and the coach company will now undertake a full investigation," the letter said.

The Home Office previously declined to comment on the incident when contacted by the BBC.

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