FIVE illegal foreign workers have today been arrested by the UK Border Agency following an immigration raid in Hampshire.

The operation in Hythe, was part of planned nationwide action by the UK Border Agency to tackle illegal working, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised immigration crime.

Acting on information received, officers from the agency, accompanied by Hampshire Police, went to the New Forest Laundry this morning. After checking the immigration status of staff on site, officers found five men working illegally.

Unit 4 in the Trident Business Park, also in Hythe, and a residential address in Exbury Road, Blackfield, were also visited and searched.

Interviews with the five and the owner of the laundry are continuing as part of a criminal investigation.

Damian Green, the Immigration Minister, said: “The Government has tasked the UK Border Agency with carrying out an intense period of enforcement activity over the summer. We are determined to make it harder than ever for illegal immigrants to come to the UK.

“Illegal immigration puts pressure on public services, local communities and legitimate businesses at a time when this country cannot afford it.

“That’s why the UK Border Agency is working to cut out illegal employment, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised traffickers, being used by foreign nationals to try and stay in the UK illegally”.

A spokeswoman for the UK Border Agency’s Hampshire Local Immigration Team, said: “Any employer who takes on a foreign national without permission to work in the UK is undermining law-abiding businesses and faces a big fine.

“This successful operation shows that our officers will find immigration offenders wherever they are in Hampshire and we carry out frequent operations to track them down.”

If employers are unable to provide evidence that legally-required checks were carried out before giving the workers jobs, a fine of up to £10,000 for each offender will be imposed – up to £40,000 in total.

In cases where there is evidence that employers have knowingly taken on illegal workers, the UK Border Agency can pursue a prosecution.

Advice for employers about how to employ migrant workers legally is available from the UK Border Agency website.

Any one who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business in the Hampshire area should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be assured.