5:22pm Tuesday 9th March 2010
By Paul Teed
Eight warehouse workers face deportation following a raid by Border Agency officers.
The Indian men were arrested at Scanwell Freight Services, in Amberley Way, Hounslow, in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The UK Border Agency warned the firm it could be fined up to £90,000 unless it can prove it carried out correct checks on its employees.
Officers later swooped on three houses in Hayes and Southall where they arrested four more Indian men, an Indian woman and a South African man.
Ben Kelso, head of the UK Border Agency’s Hounslow local immigration team, said: “These arrests are part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal working to reduce the attractiveness of the area to illegal immigrants. More operations are planned in the future.
“Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.
“We are happy to work with businesses to ensure they know what checks have to be done on staff, but those who do break the law will face action.”
Businesses unsure of the steps they need to take when employing foreign workers should visit ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers, or call the UK Border Agency’s employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.
Anyone who suspects a firm is employing illegal staff should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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