LONDON — British forces stormed an Italian cargo ship on Friday and gained control after stowaways had threatened crew members as the vessel sailed close to southeast England.

The police said no one was injured in the operation. The Sun newspaper said the rescue was led by members of the navy’s elite Special Boat Service.

Four stowaways had threatened crew members on the ship, the Grande Tema, a spokesman for the boat’s operator, Grimaldi Lines, said.

Four men were detained under Britain’s immigration laws and the vessel was being taken to the port of Tilbury, the police said.