Illegal workers face deportation

Officers raided a number of addresses across the North West

Twenty three illegal immigrants arrested in a major crackdown on the activities of gangmasters are to be deported within a week.

They were among a group of 25 people from Eastern Europe who were detained in dawn raids across the north west on Tuesday.

One of the remaining two - Vova Florea, 21 - is due before magistrates on forgery charges.

It was not clear if the last member would be detained or deported.

Mr Florea will appear before Sefton magistrates accused of forgery relating to an employment document.

By taking this action we are disrupting the networks of gangmasters in the UK Det Insp Chris Hughes

Wednesday's arrests were part of a joint operation conducted by the Merseyside force's international crime wing together with officers from Greater Manchester and Lancashire Police.

It also involved the Immigration Service, Department of Work and Pensions, Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue.

The addresses raided were at Victoria Street and the Promenade in Southport; West End, Penwortham, near Preston and Esmond Road in Cheetham Hill, Manchester.

Det Insp Chris Hughes said: "By taking this action we are disrupting the networks of gangmasters in the UK."

Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of the Transport and General Workers, Union, welcomed the "strong action" taken by the police and government department officials.

He said: "Gangmasters exploiting vulnerable working people, be those workers from the UK or from abroad, should have no place in our labour market.

"The police and government departments showed a determined approach.

"We were particularly pleased to hear the condemnation of gangmaster exploitation by the police and agree with them that those who profit from the misery of others should be behind bars."