Police have arrested six people during a raid on an East Anglian construction site as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration.
Suffolk Police and immigration enforcement officers conducted the operation at a housing development in Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday (23 July).
It saw officers target the £42m, 171-home, Tayfen Court scheme over concerns of illegal working and modern slavery.
Six people, all working for the same subcontractor, were arrested as part of the raid.
It is understood developer Weston Homes is not under investigation.
“Officers also uncovered further evidence confirming that all six individuals were employed by the same subcontractor, which could now face a substantial fine if they are found to have failed to conduct relevant pre-employment checks,” Suffolk Police told Construction News.
The maximum penalty for the offence is £360,000.
Suffolk Constabulary’s modern slavery vulnerability advisor John French said: “This was a proactive intelligence-led operation to assist us in tackling the complex issue of labour exploitation and organised immigration crime, often hidden in plain sight.
“Victims of labour exploitation are frequently controlled by subcontractors who falsify documents, restrict freedom and force individuals to work for less than the minimum wage. Sometimes they are transported to and from work sites, live in squalid conditions, and have no way of seeking help.
“Developers of the sites are often unaware of this exploitation which is why these operations are so important; not only to disrupt criminality but to safeguard those who may be at risk. It is crucial that we remain on the front foot, being proactive and intervening as early as possible.”
A spokesperson from Weston Homes told CN: “Police have visited the Tayfen Road site as part of an investigation into whether migrant labour have been used by a sub-contractor working on the site.
“At no time have Weston Homes directly employed migrant labourers, and in addition the sub-contractor was employed on the site on the understanding that the firm was in full compliance of all UK employment laws and regulations.
“It is Weston Homes policy never to employ any staff, contractors or third parties who are not fully in compliance with UK employment law. Weston Homes is fully assisting the police in these matters and has requested urgent compliance from the sub-contractor.”
The arrests are the latest in a number of crackdowns across the country targeting the construction industry.
Earlier this month, 26 people suspected of immigration offences were arrested during a construction-linked enforcement operation in Smethwick, West Midlands.
Home Office teams carried out the raid on 18 June after receiving intelligence that the area was being used as a major collection point for individuals heading to construction jobs.
Officers encountered 73 people during the operation and arrested 24 Indian nationals, one Nepalese national and one Italian national.
The operation formed part of an ongoing series of immigration enforcement actions targeting illegal working across the UK.
In a separate raid earlier this month, 20 Indian nationals were arrested in London during a joint action with the Metropolitan Police.
That operation focused on suspected illegal workers in the building trade and also targeted modified scooters and e-bikes used to reach cash-in-hand jobs.