South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside Police have joined forces with immigration teams in the first such operation in the region.

Part of Reflex, a national operation, the scheme allows a joint approach to combating immigration crime.

Each force will share work on intelligence gathering

'Vulnerable people'

Ass Ch Con Ian Daines of South Yorkshire Police said: "The concept is based on intelligence that illegal immigrants may be smuggled and trafficked into the region via international ports.

"The focus will be very much on those who make money from bringing people into the country illegally.

"We'll be taking action against anyone in the region who thinks that it is acceptable to exploit vulnerable people and the economy in this way."

Acting Deputy Ch Con John Crosse of Humberside Police, said: "The Humberside Police force area has two major docks, one in Immingham and the other in Hull, that are prime targets for organised criminals to smuggle people into the country illegally.

"Last year there was a marked increase of people entering the country illegally via Immingham."