Illegal workers discovered in warehouse raid

Immigration officers blocked off the exits at a leading newspaper distributor’s warehouse in Slough last week during a raid which uncovered eight illegal workers.

Smiths News could face a fine of up to £80,000 after the Home Office swooped at its warehouse in Whitby Road at 5am on Friday last week.

Officers arrested seven Indian nationals and one Pakistani national and are now taking steps to remove them from the UK.

A notice of potential liability was served on the major national and regional newspaper distributor, which could be fined up to £10,000 per worker if the Home Office finds that application checks were not carried out properly.

Tony Smith, regional director for the UK border agency, warned that people working without permission will be removed from the country while employers could face prosecution, a hefty fine or even prison.

Smiths News spokesman Kerrie Colford confirmed that immigration officers “conducted interviews with staff and contractors at its Slough warehouse” and are continuing investigations with seven self-employed delivery contractors and one employee.