TWO suspected illegal immigrants from India have been arrested following an operation in Worcester.

Acting on intelligence, immigration enforcement officers visited two branches of Nisa Local in Ankerage Green, Warndon Villages and Derwent Close, Warndon at about 1.30pm on Tuesday (April 26). Staff were questioned to check if they had the right to live and work in the UK. At Derwent Close, a 26-year-old Indian man was arrested for overstaying his visit visa. He is detained pending removal from the UK.

At Ankerage Green, a 28-year-old Indian man was arrested as he had entered the country without leave. He has been ordered to report regularly to the Home Office while his case is progressed.

Both branches of Nisa Local were served notices warning that a civil penalty of up to £20,000 for employing an illegal worker could be imposed. The businesses will be liable to pay this penalty unless they can demonstrate that the correct pre-employment checks were carried out such as seeing a or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Right to work checks must be carried out by businesses on their staff. Those who fail to do so, risk a visit from immigration enforcement officers and a heavy financial penalty.

“Illegal working cheats the taxpayer, undercuts honest employers and means legitimate job seekers are denied employment opportunities.

“We rely on information from members of the public and I would urge people to report suspected illegal working to us.”

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can report it at www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties.

It includes a quick answer right-to-work tool to help employers check if someone has the right to work in the UK.