Workers held in immigration raid

The UK Border Agency said deportation proceedings were underway

Police and immigration officers have arrested 32 suspected illegal workers during a raid on a plastics factory.

Officers wearing stab vests surrounded Siva Plastics factory at Spitfire Quay, in Hazel Road, Southampton, Hampshire, after intelligence tip-offs.

Thirty one male and one female Indian nationals were detained and proceedings have begun to remove them from the UK.

In a statement, Siva Plastics said it "believed that its recruitment policy was sufficiently robust".

But a spokeswoman for the UK Border Agency said the company could now face a fine of up to £10,000 per employee.

Recruitment review

Hugh Ind, area director for the UK Border Agency, said: "Illegal working hurts good business, undercuts legal workers, creates illegal profits and puts those employed at risk.

"We have teams throughout the region who visit businesses to ensure they are not breaking the law.

"Our message to employers is simple - if you employ illegal workers you could be named and shamed and face criminal charges."

A Siva spokesman said the company would co-operate fully with the UK Border Agency.

"Siva also intends to provide assistance to the detained employees and their families," he said.

"While Siva believed that its recruitment policy was sufficiently robust to ensure that no illegal immigrants were employed by it, in view of the current investigation... it is undertaking an immediate and comprehensive review of its recruitment policy.

"Siva remains a committed and responsible employer and has never knowingly employed any illegal immigrant workers."