THE UK Border Agency swooped on an Evesham business to arrest an illegal worker as part of a series of raids.

The Agency has released details of a recent crackdown across Worcestershire and Herefordshire over the past month.

One of the raids saw immigration officers arrest an Albanian man, aged 21, at Evesham Car Valeting Centre on October 25. Checks showed that he had illegally entered the UK. He was arrested and detained at an immigration removal centre.

While in detention, he claimed asylum which was refused by the UK Border Agency. Action is now being taken to deport him. A notice of a potential fine of up to £10,000 was served on the business.

The Border Agency also arrested a failed asylum seeker at Bengal Mix in Bromyard and three illegal immigrants were found at Basmati Restaurant in Swainshill, Hereford.

Paula Burton, from the UK Border Agency’s West Mercia enforcement team, said: “We will continue to crack down on companies that employ illegal workers and fail to carry out proper checks on passports and other identity documents. Any business that takes on a foreign national without permission to work is breaking the law and faces a heavy fine and possible prosecution.”

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers or call the UK Border Agency’s Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/report-crime