A 'TODDLER' was reportedly among the group of 19 people seen piling out of a lorry on the A41.

Police discovered the lorry about 4pm yesterday and passers-by reported seeing the group of people sitting on the side of the road.

This group reportedly included 'a distressed toddler' and 'mostly young families and elderly couples'.

The force has since confirmed a number of people were taken to hospital for checks, and those who did not need treatment were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.

It said those arrested would be handed over to immigration officers for further investigation.

It happened on the A41 close to Tesco superstore and police tweeted to warn drivers to avoid the area as one lane was blocked.

The force also tweeted a thank you to a passer-by who gave a box of chocolate bars to the group whilst police were at the scene.

It also added that three 'trauma teddies' were given to children involved as part of a local 'Bicester acts of kindness scheme'. 

The incident caused severe delays in the area with traffic backed along the A41 between the Rodney House roundabout through past Tesco and along to the junction with Vendee Drive.

Oxford Mail:

It echoes previous incidents in Bicester in which groups of people have been found in the back of a lorry on the A41.

In February last year 16 men were discovered in a lorry outside the Tesco superstore - with some believed to have been in the back of the lorry for two days.

A similar case also happened in September 2016 when 15 people were found again in a lorry on the A41 when it was pulled over by police heading into Bicester.