THREE illegal immigrants have been arrested after the UK Border Agency raided a convenience store in the city today.

The raid took place at the Nisa shop in Derwent Road, off Brickfieldfs Road, at about 11am. The three men now face being deported and the shop could be in line for substantial fines.

Home Office press spokesman Adam Edwards said: “Acting on intelligence, UK Border Agency officers visited the Nisa store on Derwent Close in Worcester where they carried out checks on staff to see if they had the right to work in the UK.

“Three men from India, aged 22, 22 and 33, were arrested for over-staying their visas. All have been detained pending their removal from the UK.

“The store now faces a potential fine of up to £30,000 - £10,000 for each worker - unless proof can be provided that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out on the men.

“Our officers carry out operations like this across the region almost every day, and for those who are in living and working in the country illegally there is no hiding place."

No-one from the Derwent Close store could be contacted for comment this afternoon.

“Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/business-sponsors/preventing-illegal-working/ or they can call the Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699," said Mr Edwards.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.