Two people have been arrested on suspicion of breaking immigration law after eight people were rescued from a boat off the Sussex coast.

The Argus previously reported that a group of people were brought into Newhaven by lifeboat yesterday afternoon (October 8).

The police have now said that two men, aged 29 and 38, have been arrested following Sunday’s rescue incident.

The Argus: Border force officials met the group ashoreBorder force officials met the group ashore (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Police were called to Newhaven Port at about 2.30pm on Sunday, October 8, over a report of a vessel in difficulty at sea.

Eight persons were brought ashore with the help of the RNLI Lifeboat team, HM Coastguard and the UK Border Force.

READ MORE: Border Force detain group in Newhaven after 'small boat' crossing

“A 29-year-old man of Enfield and a 38-year-old man of Hertfordshire were arrested on suspicion of doing an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national.

“They both remain in custody at this time.”

The Home Office said it would not comment on individual cases but did say that the “unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system”.