60 illegal immigrants worked at Thurrock warehouse

9:40am Friday 31st August 2007

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IMMIGRATION officials snared 60 illegal immigrants after swooping on a Tesco warehouse.

It is understood the West Africans used forged documents to get jobs, at the warehouse in Dolphin Way, Purfleet.

Border and Immigration Agency officers, specially trained in forgery detection, swooped on the warehouse and arrested 60 illegal immigrants.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Our officers are delighted the operation was a success, but we cannot comment on what will happen to the staff arrested.

"We do not suspect Tesco of knowingly employing the illegal immigrants."

Employers found to be knowingly employing illegal workers could face a heavy fine, or even a prison sentence, under new Govern-ment rules.

Civil fines could also be levied on companies which fail to check workers' records.

The Border and Immig-ration Agency has been working with employers across South Essex, to demonstrate how to check whether employees are allowed to work in Britain.

Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: "To combat illegal immigration it is not enough just to stop illegal journeys. We have to close down the illegal jobs, that tempt people to try their luck coming to Britain.

"That means making it easier for companies to check whether someone is here legally - but also coming down much harder on businesses which break the rules or turn a blind eye."

Mr Byrne did not expect employers to be experts in detecting forgeries. But he asked them to be vigilant and take reasonable steps, to check for forged documents.

Tesco refused to comment on the raid.