Police and immigration officers raid poultry company

A Derbyshire poultry processing company has been raided by the UK Borders Agency at the site of Chesterfield Poultry in Clay Cross.

According to the UK Borders Agency, police and immigration officers swooped on the site and made a number of arrests on the basis that suspects have been working in the UK illegally.

£10,000 fines

Following the raid a spokesman for the UK Borders Agency said: “We led a sizeable multi-agency operation which is still ongoing and we’ve been taking action against suspected illegal immigration and related work practices.

“An employer found to have knowingly taken on illegal migrant workers might face fines of up to £10,000 per illegal worker and could face a prison sentence.”

Denial

But Chesterfield Poultry has hit back at the raid and released a statement through its solicitors that read: “Our clients deny any wrongdoing. They are responsible employers and take all their duties seriously.

“Thorough checks are in place to ensure that all employees are legally entitled to be in the UK and in paid employment.

“We have no doubt that the police and immigration authorities’ enquiries will vindicate our client,” said Chesterfield Poultry.