The sudden appearance of a US Customs and Border Protection vehicle in Mullion sparked much speculation this week – and now the department itself has been in touch.

The Packet came up with a few light-hearted theories of why the vehicle could be parked in Laflouder Fields over the Easter weekend, including advising Cornwall on Brexit border issues following its history of 18th century smuggling.

However, it appears that while the Ford saloon bore all the marks of an authentic field operations car - complete with its US Department of Homeland Security badge and lights strip across the roof – it has now been confirmed it is not an operational vehicle.

A representative from US Customs and Border Protection contacted the Packet to say: “I wanted to reach out to confirm that CBP does not have any marked vehicles in the UK.”

The department acts as the USA's main border control organisation, preventing people from entering the country illegally and from taking in harmful or illegal items.

However, the real explanation may have since come to light. Grant Wheeler also got in touch by commenting on the original article, to say the car was parked in Mullion for a week and in fact belonged to a mother and son on holiday.

“[It was the] most excitement we have had in Laflouder Fields in a long time,” he added.