Two Afghan refugees sneak into Britain... hiding in a bus carrying returning soldiers

Two Afghans smuggled themselves into Britain - in a coach bringing soldiers back to the country.

The stowaways found themselves in the middle of a high security barracks when they made their escape.

They had been hiding in the hold of a busload of troops returning from a training exercise in the Alps.

The man and teenager were found after the coach arrived at Hammersley Barracks, Hampshire, in the early hours of Friday, March 20.

They were Afghans fleeing the war against the Taliban and wanted to claim asylum in Britain, according to the UK Border Agency.

'As I understand it, the bus pulled up, people went to get their bags and these two guys just sort of popped out of the luggage hold,' said Army spokesman Rebecca Clark.

Security at the Hampshire barracks, which is home to the Army Physical Training Corps, is high, with armed guards at the entrance.

The Afghans were apprehended by security staff and taken to Aldershot Police Station.

UK Border Agency officers went to the police station, discovered one of the refugees was under 18, and placed him in the care of social services.

The older man, whose age is not known, applied for asylum after he was caught and was released on bail to accommodation in the Leeds area while his application is processed.

Asylum applications typically take at least 56 days to process but Sian Freestone-Walker of the UK Border Agency said the time it takes varies greatly.

'Each application is very different and we have to take time to consider its merits,' she said.

'It also depends on things like whether they appeal the decision.

'The man is in Leeds because applicants go to wherever there's a bed available.' 

The youth's exact age had not been determined but he was in his late teens and would be allowed to remain in the country until he turned 18.  continues here

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