UPDATE: 14 illegal workers face removal from UK after Melksham arrests
Reports of ‘suspicious activity’ in Melksham has led to the arrest for 15 people for immigration-related offences.
Police had attended a call about a disorder near the Leekes store, in Beanacre Road, at around 8.30am this morning (Friday).
It’s understood that officers were in the area when members of the public reported some concerns about ‘suspicious activity’.
Enquiries led officers to locate more than 20 people, with concerns raised about their immigration statuses and their right to work in the UK.
The Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement team were deployed. Around 20 officers arrived in unmarked vehicles behind Greggs and Subway on Beanacre Road at 1pm.
It’s thought the group were undertaking work in the local area illegally, having been conveyed into the town.
Though speaking to the detainees, Immigration Enforcement officers are understood to have identified a suspect involved in the facilitation of the work.
Checks were carried out on the group of mostly Romanian men, revealing immigration offences resulting in the arrest of 15 people. Several others were cleared and free to go.
One man agreed to purchase a flight home to Romania – and officers will now assist in helping him return home voluntarily.
Wiltshire Police confirmed that 15 people – aged between 18 and 46 – were arrested “following reports regarding suspicious activity from members of the public”.
The suspects have been taken to several police custody suites for processing and questioning, including Gablecross in Swindon and Patchway in Bristol.
A Peugeot van was also seized by police due to having no insurance or MOT.
Officers remained at the scene until everybody has been transferred into vans and conveyed to custody suites, leaving at around 3.30pm.
The investigation is being led by Immigration Enforcement. The Home Office has been approached for comment – an update is expected on Monday.
