Fourteen people arrested in Wiltshire on suspicion of illegal working face deportation
Sixteen people were arrested by Wiltshire Police in car park in Melksham on Friday (September 26) while allegedly on their way to work illegally
Fourteen people arrested in Melksham on suspicion of working illegally are facing removal from the UK.
Sixteen people were arrested by Wiltshire Police in Melksham on Friday (September 26) while allegedly on their way to collect payment for illegal work.
The Home Office said in a statement; "Supported by Wiltshire Police, the 16 Romanian nationals were arrested in a car park on Beanacre Road in Melksham while reportedly on their way to collect payment for illegally working on a solar farm in Scotland.
"All had breached visitor visa conditions."
The Home office added that 14 are now in detention facing removal from the UK and the remaining two are under "strict reporting conditions."
Head of West of England Immigration Enforcement, Murad Mohammed, said:
“This latest operation is a clear signal that abuse of the immigration system will not be tolerated.
"My thanks to Wiltshire Police and my team for their tireless dedication in clamping down on this criminality and securing our borders.”
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said:
"Illegal working plays into the hands of smugglers, undercuts local businesses and can lead to appalling exploitation.
“Whether it is in our cities or rural areas, we will root it out and ensure those breaking the rules face the consequences.
"Action is up 50% nationwide since taking office, but we won't stop there.
"As part of our Plan for Change, we will go further by introducing new digital ID cards and tightening our laws with our Borders Bill to clamp down on rogue employers.”