Raid targets poultry workers

- Published: 07 July, 2009

In one of its biggest raids in the south west, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has arrested a dozen workers at a poultry farm and processing unit. Fifty officers from the agency swooped on Merryfield Farm, near Crediton, Devon, in the early morning raid.

According to the agency, all the workers, who are either from Afghanistan or Africa, are now in custody.

Merryfield Farm has now been served with a notice of potential liability. This requires that it must prove that proper right-to-work checks were carried out.

According to the UKBA, employers who do not carry out these checks face a maximum fine of £10,000 for each worker.