Special forces on alert for jihadists disguised as stowaways sneaking into ‘terrorist tankers’

Special forces are on alert for counterterrorism attacks at sea amid fears jihadists may sneak into the UK disguised as asylum seekers on ships.

It comes after the SBS raided the Nave Andromeda oil tanker off the south coast on Sunday to deal with seven violent stowaways.

The Mirror may reveal that refugees are getting on boats on inland waterways, increasing the risk of terrorists traveling to Britain via human smuggling routes.

A security source said of the Andromeda Ship raid: “Special forces have been practicing for an event like this for many years, but lately their training has increased as it is believed that it is only a matter of time before there is a more serious take of a ship, possibly by terrorists.

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“The Ship Andromeda mission was a textbook and a great success, but the concern was that there was a possibility that it could have been more sinister than an illegals attempt.

“From the moment it became known that a ship could have hostile illegals on board, it would always become an armed counter-terrorism mission, just in case.

“With limited information coming from the ship at the time the Home Office realized that it had to end the stalemate and deploy the SBS to retake the ship.

“It ended well, but if they had been armed or carrying explosives it would have been a very high risk operation.”

The Andromeda Ship stowaways had apparently boarded in Lagos, Nigeria, where a group with ties to the Islamic State has grown in recent years.

After a 10-hour standoff, the Home Secretary agreed to hand it over to the military and the SBS used five helicopters and fast attack boats to retake the tanker off the Isle of Wight.

Hampshire police arrested the seven stowaways “on suspicion of seizing or exercising control of a ship through the use of threats or force under the Aviation, Maritime and Security Act of 1990.”

And we can reveal that four migrants were also pulled from a cargo ship near Brighton on Thursday after boarding in Rouen, France, a port 80 miles inland.

The vessel, named Alessandra Lehmann, sailed along the River Seine in the open sea and the stowaways were only seen when they reached the UK.

The group was then taken to a police station.

Thousands of immigrants have crossed the English Channel in light boats this summer, but this is believed to be one of the first times a group boarded a ship inland to get here.

When asked for a response to the Alessandra Lehmann incident, the Interior Ministry said: “We are fixing our broken asylum system. An asylum system should provide refuge for those fleeing persecution, oppression or tyranny.

“But ours allows organized criminals to nudge the most vulnerable.

“That is why the new system will be more fair and firm.

“He will be compassionate to those who need our help.

“And it will stop exploitation by those who come here illegally and often make baseless or meritless claims to stay.”