UK Border Agency involved in raids on 19 locations against illegal workers in Northern Ireland

IMMIGARATION officials and Home Office criminal investigators launched a crackdown on Tuesday against illegal workers in Northern Ireland.

They are carrying out checks at 19 locations across the region on Tuesday.

The operation is focusing on staff who are selling mobile phone accessories from stalls in shopping centres.

The enforcement officers, assisted by police, are questioning the sales staff to check if they have the right to work and live in the UK.

The Home Office teams are being accompanied by police officers from Scotland as well as officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Carolyne Lindsay for the Home Office, said: “Foreign nationals who are found working illegally in this country should be in no doubt that they will be caught, arrested and removed from the UK.

“We are determined to crack down on immigration offenders and those who exploit them. Anyone found living or working here illegally is liable to be detained and removed.”