Two Arrested Over Immigration Offences at Stockport Meat Plant
Two men have been arrested in a crackdown on illegal immigration in the UK meat processing industry.
Raids Hit Manchester Abattoir Limited
On the evening of 16 March, over 25 Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers stormed Manchester Abattoir Limited in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The swoop led to the arrest of two males – one Somali, one Congolese.
Visa Overstayer and Work Ban Caught
- One suspect was caught overstaying his visa.
- The other had no right to work due to an outstanding asylum claim.
Neither man was authorised to work at the abattoir. Both were released on immigration bail pending further investigation.
Employer Faces Hefty Fines
The abattoir’s employer now faces Civil Penalty Notices with fines of up to £40,000 for failing to carry out mandatory employment checks.
Manchester Abattoir Ltd has previously been hit with legal action over animal welfare breaches in an unrelated case.
HM Inspector Kendal Barnett, Home Office Immigration Enforcement, said:
“Illegal working puts vulnerable people at risk of exploitation, cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment and defrauds the public purse.”
“I’m pleased that tonight’s operation was a success and that our dedicated officers were able to arrest two immigration offenders. We will continue to work tirelessly to put a stop to this kind of criminality.”
