Two men from Pakistan suspected of being illegal immigrants have been arrested after a raid on a pound shop in Irlam, Salford.
Shocked eyewitnesses at the Arlam Pound Shop, on Moorfield Parade off Liverpool Road, told how staff tried to run when the store was hit by a Home Office bust at 11am on Tuesday 8 September.
Immigration enforcement officers were acting on intelligence supplied by the local community, said the Home Office.
Two men, age 25 and 29, were arrested after it was revealed they were in the UK illegally.
The 25-year-old is now detained pending his removal from the UK.
The 29-year-old has been temporarily released whilst his case is progressed.
He will have to report regularly to the Home Office during this time, said officials.
The Arlam Pound Shop will now face a potential £40,000 fine unless they can prove that they carried out pre-employment checks on the men, such as seeing a passport, or official Home Office document.
In July, two Bangladeshi men were arrested on suspicion of being illegal immigrants after being found working at the Mothi restaurant and takeaway in Cadishead.
Assistant Director Paul Airlie, from the Greater Manchester Home Office Immigration Enforcement team, said: “We will not relent in our efforts to tackle illegal working in Greater Manchester.
“Using illegal labour is not a victimless crime. It defrauds the treasury of much needed funds, undercuts businesses who ply an honest trade and cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment opportunities.
“There are simple checks employers can carry out to ensure their employees have the right to work in the UK. Those who choose to ignore the rules will face the consequences.
“I would urge people with detailed and specific information about suspected immigration abuse to contact us.”
Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can report it online here or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Main image via Flickr
