A site operator for MRH is being threatened with a fine of up to £20,000 after Home Office investigators arrested a man working at one of its sites.
Acting on intelligence, Immigration Enforcement officers visited the BP petrol station, Dartford Road, March, Cambridgeshire, on 9 September at about 2pm. Staff were questioned to check if they had the right to live and work in the UK.
A 25-year-old Indian man was arrested as he had overstayed his visa and was working illegally. He is now detained while steps are taken to remove him from the UK.
A Home Office statement said: “The employer was served a notice warning the business will be liable for a financial penalty of up to £20,000 for the illegal worker, unless evidence is provided that the correct pre-employment checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or a Home Office document.”
MRH, which is number one in the Forecourt trader Top 50 Indies with more than 400 sites, said that it runs a commission operator business model, and all forecourt staff are employed by the site operator.
Alison Spowage, assistant director for Immigration Enforcement in the East Midlands, said: “Our specialist teams regularly carry out operations like this in Cambridgeshire.
“I would urge members of the public with detailed information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch.”
Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties.
Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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