Essex lorry deaths case to feature on BBC Crimewatch

Their bodies were found unresponsive in the trailer of a lorry by its driver Maurice Robinson, in Eastern Avenue, Grays, in the early hours of October 23, 2019.

With the 5-year anniversary approaching, Crimewatch is covering the story of that final journey and the resulting complex investigation, as part of a feature shining a spotlight on the dedicated teams bringing criminals to justice.

The episode will air on BBC One at 9.30am tomorrow.

Speaking - Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe (Image: BBC / Essex Police)Each of the Vietnamesee victims, and their families, had paid significant sums of money to an organised crime group whose members promised them safe passage to the UK and a life here.

Essex Police's far-reaching investigation uncovered an international human trafficking conspiracy, which has ultimately led to the conviction of 11 people in the UK as well as 18 people in France.

The total sentences handed down to those involved was 117 years in jail.

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe said: “This group of men worked together to smuggle people illegally into the UK, with some receiving significant payment for their services. There can be no greater demonstration of how dangerous the organised criminal networks involved in people smuggling can be than this tragic case.

“These 39 people, all mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, died in the most inhumane way, because of the actions of this greed-driven gang of people smugglers.”

The lorry had travelled from Zeebrugge in Belgium to the Port of Purfleet, in Essex

The Crimewatch film covers Robinson picking up the trailer at around 1am, before parking up in Eastern Avenue to "give [them] some air", as per a Snapchat message from his boss, Ronan Hughes.

Upon opening the doors and realising that those inside were not breathing, Robinson closed the doors again and made a series of phone calls to his bosses, driving around West Thurrock until he had abandoned his burner phone and cane up with a plan.

Half an hour later, he parked up on Eastern Avenue for a second time, and that was when he called 999.

Robinson, who had denied any knowledge of people being in the trailer, was arrested at the scene. The investigation identified that he had been involved in the conspiracy for some time. He was charged several days later and was one of the many criminals jailed for their part in the tragic deaths.

This summer, the personal possessions of the 39 victims were returned to their families.

Det Ch Supt Hooper said: “Bringing the victims’ belongings home to their families represents the final act of our most complex and far-reaching investigation ever carried out in Essex and it was humbling to represent our force in Vietnam.

“During our meetings, we were reminded by the Vietnamese delegation of our chief constable’s promise; to bring those responsible to justice, to treat each victim and their family with dignity and respect.

“We were told that as a result of our actions in dismantling this intercontinental crime group, Essex Police will always have a special place in Vietnam.

“Those words and that level of respect are not lost on me. I know the devastation this incident wreaked on communities across Vietnam, and it remains the honour of my policing career to have commanded this investigation, which has seen 11 people convicted for a total of 117 years in jail handed down by the courts.

“I’d like to thank every partner we’ve worked with on this investigation. There are too many to mention individually, but our colleagues at the Crown Prosecution Service and the National Crime Agency have been crucial throughout.”

DI James Holmes, who spoke to the Crimewatch team, said: “Our message for criminals that want to prey on the vulnerable is, don’t. We’re very good at what we do. We will catch you, we will unpick your stories, and we will see you in court.