A CINDERFORD business could face a £20,000 penalty after immigration enforcement officers arrested an illegal worker on suspicion of outstaying his student visa.

Acting on intelligence, officers arrested the 26-year-old

Indian man at Partington Engineering on Forest Vale Industrial Estate last Wednesday.

The man has been detained while steps are taken to remove him from the UK.

The penalty will be waived if the business can demonstrate that appropriate ‘right to work’ document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

Jonathan Watson, of the south west immigration enforcement team, said: “We are working hard to tackle illegal working and those who abuse the UK’s immigration system.

“Using illegal labour is not

a victimless crime. It defrauds the Treasury, depriving vital public services like schools and hospitals of funds, it undercuts honest businesses and it cheats legitimate job seekers of employment opportunities. It also exploits some of society’s most vulnerable people.

“We expect everyone here illegally to leave the UK voluntarily. For those who don’t the message is clear – we will find, detain and remove you.”

Partington Engineering failed to comment before the Review went to press.