A 15-year-old boy from Iraq was discovered walking on the M6 motorway near Birmingham on Wednesday night, prompting police intervention. The Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) responded to reports of a pedestrian on the carriageway and located the child on the central reservation near junction 7 for Great Barr at around 22:00 GMT.
The teenager, who is believed to have entered the UK illegally, was picked up by a patrol car and taken into emergency care for the night. West Midlands Police confirmed that the boy had been separated from his parents several days ago and was unaware of their whereabouts or current country of residence.
The Home Office stated that Immigration Enforcement was alerted, and the boy was subsequently placed under the care of social services. His case will be processed in accordance with immigration regulations.
In a statement on social media, CMPG expressed concern for the child's wellbeing, noting the fear and confusion he must be experiencing, unable to speak the language or locate his family. Liz Clegg of the Meena Centre in Birmingham, a charity supporting refugee women and children, highlighted the significant challenge of reuniting separated children with their families, expressing hope that the appropriate systems would act swiftly.
