IMMIGRATION officers raided a car wash in Colchester as part of an operation targeting illegal workers.

Nine UK Border Agency officers visited the car wash, at the Homebase car park, in St Andrew’s Avenue, at about 2.15pm on Thursday.

Witnesses said officers were at the site for about 30 minutes and three workers were spoken to by officers.

A bystander said: “I was having my car washed when a people carrier, a police car and a blue transit van pulled up and blocked me in.

“The UK Border Agency officers and two police officers got out and checked all the details of the guys washing cars, using translators on the mobile telephones they had with them.”

The UK Border Agency said a fine of up to £10,000 per worker could be imposed for every illegal worker found at a business.

Chief Immigration Officer, Dave Butler, said: “Nine officers from the UK Border Agency’s local immigration team for Suffolk and north-east Essex carried out illegal working enforcement visits yesterday afternoon.

“All enforcement visits are intelligence-led and resources are allocated, based on the information received.

“Illegal immigration puts pressure on public services, local communities and legitimate businesses at a time when this country cannot afford it.

“That’s why the UK Border Agency carries out operations like that in Colchester, to tackle demand for jobs which lure illegal immigrants to the UK in the first place.”

A spokesman said he could not comment on the incident itself as the operation is still ongoing.