the ministry of defence has confirmed
that members of the armed forces boarded
a ship off the isle of wight tonight and
gained control
after a suspected hijacking seven people
have been detained
the liberian registered vessel is
positioned in the english channel south
of ventna
duncan kennedy is in leon the solent for
us this evening duncan
well rita this has been a dramatic few
hours here on the solent ending in this
incredible raid
involving four helicopters and we think
around 16 members of the special boat
service the sbs
who descended on ropes onto the deck of
this ship and used what we're told was
overwhelming force to detain these seven
individuals
the whole operation lasting just about
nine minutes extraordinary moments
it was authorized by both the home
secretary and the defense secretary
at the request of hampshire police it
all began round about nine o'clock this
morning
when these seven stowaways confronted
the crew members
the crew then took shelter in a special
locked room on the boat
and raised the alarm there was then this
extraordinary standoff during the course
of the day
hampshire police becoming more worried
and asking the government to authorize
this military action
tonight both the home secretary and the
defense secretary have issued statements
praising the armed forces saying this
was quick and decisive action
thank you duncan