Three suspected illegal workers have been arrested after Home Office immigration teams raided a meat and poultry factory.
In a joint operation with Kent Police, officers descended on the premises in Canterbury yesterday (February 18) as they thought people were working there unlawfully.
Two women and one man, who are all Romanian nationals, were arrested on suspicion of working in breach of their entry conditions and overstaying.
The employer was also served with a civil penalty referral notice and could now face a hefty fine if it is found they failed to conduct pre-employment checks.
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) attended the raid alongside police to ensure the safety of any people who may have been identified as victims of exploitation.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: “This operation is a great example of how we are working with partner agencies to root out unscrupulous employers who think they can shirk the rules and exploit illegal migrants.
“Immigration rules must be respected and enforced to stop the abuse of our borders, vulnerable people and the economy.
“That is why, under our plan for change, we are ramping up enforcement activity to record levels to send a clear message that there is no hiding place from the law.”
South East immigration compliance and enforcement (ICE) team lead, Tano Grima, added: “The success of this operation shows the reach of our enforcement action and sends a strong signal that no business is safe from the consequences of breaking the rules.
“I am proud of my team for their work to secure these arrests alongside the support from our partners at Kent Police and the GLAA.
“Together we will continue to clamp down on those who flout our immigration system both in the south east and across the country.”
A Home Office spokesman said no further details about the Canterbury employer or the whereabouts of the factory could be shared.
Last week, the Home Office revealed illegal working arrests had surged to more than 600 nationally in January – a 73% rise compared to the same time last year.
Since the election, immigration enforcement teams have visited 5,424 premises, including nail bars, convenience stores, restaurants, car washes, factories and processing plants, and made 3,930 arrests.
During the same period, 1,090 civil penalty notices were issued to businesses.
In many cases, individuals travelling to the UK on small boats are told by smuggling gangs they will be able to live and work freely in the country.
In reality, they will often face poor living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working hours, and face the threat of arrest and removal if they are caught working illegally.
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