UKBA - Enforcement News Thread

Personally, I support any action to close down these places permanently and ban the owners/directors from involving themselves in the food business.

Not only exploiting those people illegally working, they're often turning a blind to the sources of ingredients.
Certainly the illegal workers are completely unaware of the basics of hygiene.

Well, I am not from the "they are Indian so shut em all down" brigade or the "I don't like curry so shut em all down" brigade or from the "I can make my own curry so shut em all down" brigade. But I do agree that if there are illegals working for them then exactly what is the health and safety and hygiene standards like in some of these places and where are they sourcing their foodstuffs from.....

Wow John, what prompted that?

I have met those types before.

I have noticed that some folk respond to that kind of immigration related news by wanting to shut all Indian restaurants down then declare who needs 'em anyway.

Three arrested in Fraserburgh store

15 May 2013

Three illegal workers from Pakistan have been arrested following our Immigration Enforcement operation at a Fraserburgh store.

Acting on intelligence, our officers visited Nickel and Dime on Saltoun Square on 14 May.

Checks on the immigration status of staff revealed 3 men aged 32, 36 and 41 who had no right to work in the UK. They were arrested and have all been detained pending their removal from the country.

The business will be served with a fine for employing the illegal workers. If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally required pre employment checks were carried out on the men, a fine of up to £30,000 will be given.

Adam Scarcliffe, assistant director, Scotland Immigration Enforcement team, Home Office said:

'This operation sends a clear message to immigration offenders - there is no hiding place.

'We will seek to remove anyone who we find to be in the UK illegally and carry out operations on a regular basis to track offenders down.

'I would urge members of the public with detailed information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch.'

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our page on preventing illegal working or call the Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit the Crimestoppers website.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/may/47-arrests-fraserburgh

Two removed from UK after Powys immigration raids

16 May 2013

Two men caught working illegally at Powys businesses have been removed from the UK.

Acting on information received, our immigration enforcement officers raided Welshpool Fish Bar, Church Street, Welshpool and Zeera Indian Cuisine, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells on 27 April 2013 .

At Zeera, a 35-year-old Bangladeshi man attempted to flee from officers but was found hiding in an attic. Checks revealed he had entered the UK illegally and he was arrested.

After being held in immigration detention he was removed to his home country on 9 May.

At Welshpool Fish Bar, checks on staff revealed that a 34-year-old Indian man had over-stayed his visa. He was arrested and £2,000 in cash was also seized from him under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

He was removed on 4 May.

Bosses at the 2 businesses will now have to provide proof to us that the correct pre-employment checks were carried out or face penalties of up to £10,000 per illegal worker.

Andrew Hogan, immigration enforcement, said:

'These raids show that we will track down immigration offenders wherever they are in Wales.

'There is no hiding place for people breaking the law and we will seek to remove anyone who we find to be in the UK illegally.

'We want members of the public with information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch.'

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/business-sponsors/preventing-illegal-working/ or they can call the Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration crime in Wales can contact http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/report-crime/ or call 029 2092 4727.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/may/48-removed-powys

Exploitation of illegal workers not only 'lines-the-pockets' of the unscrupulous, it defrauds the taxpayer, undercuts honest employers and cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment opportunities.

Seven illegal workers found at Edinburgh restaurant

16 May 2013

Seven men from Pakistan and India have been have been found working illegally at an Edinburgh restaurant following our Immigration Enforcement operation.

Acting on intelligence, our officers visited the Mosque Kitchen in Nicolson Square on 15 May.

Checks on the immigration status of staff revealed 6 men from Pakistan and 1 from India aged between 22 and 57 who had no right to work in the UK. Five of the men have been detained pending their removal from the UK, while the other 2 must report to the police on a regular basis while their outstanding immigration applications are concluded.

The business will be served with a fine for employing the illegal workers. If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally required pre employment checks were carried out on the men, a fine of up to £70,000 will be given.

Adam Scarcliffe, Assistant Director, Scotland's Immigration Enforcement team, Home Office said:

'We're happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be made on staff, but those who break the law should know that they will face heavy fines.'

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our page on preventing illegal working or call the Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit the Crimestoppers website.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/may/50-illegal-edinburgh

Five arrested following raids in Tooting

19 May 2013

Five immigration offenders have been arrested following a crackdown on illegal working in Tooting.

Acting on intelligence, Home Office immigration enforcement officers visited 3 businesses on Thursday 16 May, questioning individuals to check if they had the right to be in the UK.

At Azeem Halal Meat & Grocery, Upper Tooting Road, which was visited at about 10:30, they arrested 2 Pakistani men aged 24 and 30 who had both overstayed their visas.

Officers then visited Dimples Beauty, Upper Tooting Road, at about 11:35 where a 26-year-old Pakistani woman was arrested for overstaying her visa.

At Chittapa Restaurant & Bar, London Road, which was visited at about 13:50, officers arrested 2 Indian men. One, aged 25, had overstayed his visa while a 46-year-old had entered the country illegally.

All those arrested are in immigration detention pending removal from the UK apart from the 46-year-old who has been placed on immigration bail while steps are taken to remove him.

The businesses were served notices warning the employers that a civil penalty of up to £10,000 per illegal worker found will be imposed unless proof is provided that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out. This is a potential fine of £20,000 for Chittapa and Azeem and £10,000 for Dimples.

Jill Smith, Head, Home Office Immigration Enforcement team, South London, said:

'We have teams in London carrying out visits like these every day, with more planned in the future

'Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, undermining legitimate businesses and taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

'While we are happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be done on staff, those who do break the law should know that we are out there looking for them and they will face heavy fines.

'I would urge members of the public with information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch.'

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our page on preventing illegal working or call the Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit the Crimestoppers website.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/may/61-five-tooting1

Four immigration offenders discovered at 2 businesses in Milton Keynes

20 May 2013

Two businesses in Milton Keynes are facing fines following raids by immigration enforcement officers.

Acting on intelligence, operations were carried out at Papa Luigi Dial-a-Pizza on Heathfield industrial estate in Stacey Bushes and the Eastern Paradise restaurant on Church Street, Wolverton on the evening of Thursday 16 May.

Officers carried out immigration checks on members of staff at both locations.

At Papa Luigi a 34-year-old man from Pakistan was arrested for over-staying his visa. He was detained pending his removal from the UK.

At Eastern Paradise 3 illegal workers from Bangladesh were arrested. A 36-year-old man had entered the UK illegally, while two men aged 36 and 28 discovered hiding in a basement were found to have over-stayed their visas. All 3 were detained and now face removal from the UK.

Both businesses will now have to provide proof to the Home Office that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out on the man or they will be fined up to £10,000 per worker for employing them.

Paul Smith, assistant director, Thames Valley immigration enforcement team, said:


'My officers are out across the Thames Valley almost every day targeting those who are in the UK illegally and the firms that employ them.

'Illegal working fuels illegal immigration to the UK and I hope these operations send out a strong message to businesses - you must carry out the correct checks on your staff or you could end up with a heavy fine.'

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our page on preventing illegal working, or call the Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

For more information and contact details for Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams visit our regional page for London and the South East.

Anyone with information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit the Crimestoppers website.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/may/64-mk-fines

In each of these reports, wording similar to the following appears:

That is totally meaningless because the fine could be as low as (say) a fiver and it's clear that what's needed is a strong deterrent. I think the fine should be exactly £10,000 for each illegal immigrant employed and if 5 or more illegal immigrants are found, the proprietors/directors should additionally go to jail for at least 5 years. That would send a clear message to all employers and, frankly, too bad if they go out of business as a result; they are breaking the law.

I've noted that quite a number who are caught entered the country illegally. That just gives further evidence that Border Force is unfit for purpose.

How about those reputable businesses who clearly follow all procedures but are duped by false documentation?
Recently this happened to Tesco and M&S and the NHS
Should the proprietors/directors go to jail for at least 5 years?

Eighteen arrested in international people smuggling investigation

22 May 2013

Eighteen people have been arrested following a major European operation targeting suspected people smuggling gangs.

At around 5:00 this morning (22 May), around 120 immigration and police officers from Immigration Enforcement and Kent Police carried out simultaneous raids on addresses in London, Luton and Essex.

Eleven people were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to assist with illegal immigration.

At the same time raids also took place in France and Germany. Seven people were arrested in France.

The arrests were the conclusion of a joint investigation involving our investigators, Kent Police, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), Europol and French and German law enforcement agencies.

Those arrested are suspected of being part of an alleged criminal network believed to assist Sri Lankan illegal immigrants attempting to reach the UK by smuggling them in vehicles through the channel ports. Some would also travel onwards from the UK to North America using false documents.

It is believed clients could be charged around £4,500 to reach the UK from France.

Those arrested in the UK have been taken to a police station in Kent to be questioned.

In addition, computers, documents, cash and mobile phones were seized from a number of addresses and will now be examined.

Rob Allen, assistant director, Immigration Enforcement criminal and financial investigations, said:

'People smuggling is an international crime which requires international co-operation, and the arrests made today show that co-operation is yielding results.

'We believe this operation will have a significant impact on an organised network we suspect has been a major player in terms of bringing Sri Lankan nationals to the UK illegally.

'Our investigation will continue with the evidence we have seized today.'

Alan Pughsley, deputy chief constable of Kent Police, said:

'This sends a strong message to the criminals who seek to use our ports in this illegal trade: We will work together with UK and overseas partners to track you down and bring you to justice.'

The operations in the UK, France and Germany were supported and coordinated by Europol and Eurojust.

The Immigration Enforcement criminal and financial investigation team is a specialist unit of seconded police officers working alongside our warranted immigration officers to investigate organised immigration crime.

Anyone with information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit the Crimestoppers website.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/may/71-smuggling-investigation

Two arrested in Sunderland immigration raid

22 May 2013

Two illegal workers from Bangladesh have been arrested following our Immigration Enforcement operation in Sunderland.

Acting on intelligence, our officers visited the Saffron in Fulwell Road on 21 May.

Checks on the immigration status of staff revealed 2 men aged 21 and 22 who had no right to work in the UK. They were arrested and have been detained awaiting their removal from the country.

The businesses will be issued with a fine notice for employing the illegal workers. If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally required pre employment checks were carried out on the men, a fine of up to £20,000 will be given.

Wallace Wilson, Immigration Enforcement team, Home Office said:

'Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, undermining legitimate businesses and taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

'We are happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be done on staff. Those who choose to break the law should know that we are out there looking for them and they will face heavy fines.

'I would urge members of the public with detailed information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch.'

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our page on preventing illegal working or call the Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit the Crimestoppers website.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/may/70-raid-sunderland

Six immigration offenders caught at Kent businesses

21 May 2013

Six illegal workers have been caught following our raids at businesses in Rochester, Canterbury and Gravesend on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 May.

Acting on intelligence, our Immigration Enforcement officers visited Marlowe Park Fish Bar, Wells Road, Rochester on 16 May. They checked the immigration status of the staff and found a 27-year-old man from India who was working in breach of his visa conditions. He was arrested and placed in immigration detention.

Our officers also encountered a 2nd man from India who was working illegally. He was stopped from working and escorted from the premises. He must continue to report to us while an outstanding application is dealt with. If he is found to have no right to remain in the UK he will face removal.

On Friday 17 May, our officers also visited Anna, in the Whitefriars Shopping Centre in Canterbury where checks revealed 3 men from India, aged 24, 25 and 26 were working illegally. Two had not left the UK when their visas expired and the 3rd was working in breach of his visa conditions. All 3 were arrested and remain in immigration detention.

A 2nd visit on Friday to Sam's Ice Cream van, Dashwood Road Gravesend resulted in the arrest of a 25-year-old man from India who had not left the UK when his visa expired. He was also placed in immigration detention.

We will now take steps to remove the 5 detained men from the UK.

Jackie Fowler, Immigration Enforcement team in Kent, Home Office said:

'We are determined to stamp out abuse of the immigration system.

'We want the public to contact us if they have any information on businesses or people who are breaking immigration law.

'Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigration and undercutting businesses which play by the rules.'

All 3 visited businesses have been handed fines for employing the illegal workers. If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally required pre employment checks were carried out, a fine of up to £10,000 for each worker will be issued.

Every year, we issue fines for hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff. We provide support to employers so they can understand the rules, including visits by staff, a dedicated telephone helpline and website.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our page on preventing illegal working or call the Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit the Crimestoppers website.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/may/68-kent-offenders