by Lynn Cox

Immigration officers targeted hand car wash businesses and arrested seven foreign nationals on suspicion of working illegally.

Officers from the UK Border Agency, carried out raids last weekend and visited hand car washes in car parks at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre and Tesco supermarket in Courteney Road, Gillingham.

The raids were a result of intelligence gathered by the agency’s Kent-based enforcement teams.

At 9.30am on Saturday, August 22, a team of officers arrived at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, and arrested three Brazilian men and an Ecuadorian man on suspicion of illegal working.

A notice of potential liability was served against operating company Hands on Car Wash.

About an hour later, the officers went to the Tesco car-park where they arrested two Nigerian men and an Iranian man.

A notice of potential liability was served against Hands on Car Wash.

The business now faces a fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker employed at the sites.

To avoid a heavy fine, the employers must convince the UK Border Agency they carried out the correct right-to-work checks for employing a worker from outside the EU.

Civil penalties for business owners who fail to carry out the proper checks when employing migrant workers from outside Europe were introduced by the government in February last year.

Most of the arrested men have been detained whilst officers work towards removing them from the UK.

The Iranian man has been released on bail whilst officers work towards removing him.

Carla Johnson Kent immigration team leader said: “These arrests show our commitment to targeting those who work illegally.

“It is a crime that not only undercuts local business but also has a serious impact on local communities; taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

“We will act on any information received and if appropriate visit the place concerned and make arrests.

“No matter what line of business you are in, you are not safe. We will not tolerate illegal working in the Kent area.”

Neither the supermarket or shopping centre involved were responsible for employing the workers. They were employed by the franchise.

Neither have been able to privide a comment yet.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to ensure they don’t employ illegal workers can visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers or call the UK Border Agency helpline on 0300 123 4699.

A spokesman for Hands on Car Wash said: "We’re delighted with the arrests. This investigation was instigated by us to help our franchisees ensure the legality of their workers.

"Our cooperation with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has always been one hundred percent. We have worked jointly and proactively with them to target illegal working within the car cleaning industry. We know that our franchisees take every precaution when checking workers’ papers and we’re confident there will be no fines. Forgeries have become so sophisticated that we and our franchisees need the assistance of the UKBA to help us - that’s why we called them in and will keep doing so."

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are working illegally at a business should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.