Three arrested in Sandwell immigration raids
Three people have been arrested during immigration raids on a pizza takeaway and clothing firm in Sandwell.
Two Indian women and a Pakistani man were arrested, detained and are now facing deportation following the Home Office operation.
The women, aged 28 and 46, were found at RS Garments in Grice Street, West Bromwich. The man, aged 25, was discovered at Rock Pizza in High Street, Blackheath, Rowley Regis.
All three were found to have overstayed their visas. The man was also found to have a provisional UK driving licence and officials are taking steps to revoke it.
Bosses at the firms now face potential fines of up to £60,000 under illegal employment laws.
The raids were carried out on Wednesday following tip-offs from the community. Enforcement officers visited RS Garments at 3.45pm and Rock Pizza later that same evening.
All three people have been detained pending deportation from the UK.
Both businesses were also served a notice warning that they could be liable for a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker. They will be asked produce evidence that correct pre-employment checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or an official Home Office document.
A spokeswoman for RS Garment, who did not wish to give her name, said: "One of the women was a visitor to the company. One produced the company with a fake ID."
The operation comes after a new package of measures to crack down further on illegal working was unveiled by the Government.
The Immigration Bill, due to be introduced this autumn, will include new powers to deter people from trying to find work illegally and measures to deal more effectively with businesses that flout the rules.
Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said: "Anyone who thinks the UK is a soft touch should be in no doubt – if you are here illegally, we will take action to stop you from working, renting a flat, opening a bank account or driving a car.
"As a one nation government we will continue to crack down on abuse and build an immigration system that works in the best interests of the British people and those who play by the rules."
No one from Rock Pizza was available for comment.
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