Olympic torch making firm faces penalty over Indian immigrants
July 2nd, 2012 - 9:38 pm ICT by IANSLondon, July 2 (IANS) A firm involved in making Olympic torches has been suspected of employing illegal Indian immigrants right under the noses of Games security staff in Britain.
Crown Polishing and Plating faces prosecution and a fine of 50,000 pounds (over $78,000) after policemen and border officers held nine men from India during a raid, The Sun reported Monday.
According to a source at the firm, security staff supplied by Olympics organisers had been stationed there.
“They count workers in and out, check how many torches are being worked on and they’re all accounted for,” said the source. “What they didn’t realise was there were illegal immigrants right under their noses.”
After the UK Border Agency officials turned suspicious, the factory, located in Wolverhampton city, was raided in February. The arrested men are aged between 20 and 58.
Crown gold-plates the torches after they are made by Premier Sheet Metal in Coventry city.
A London 2012 spokesman said: “The company was not directly contracted and the issue has been dealt with by the UK Border Agency.”
The 2012 London Olympics are scheduled to be held between July 27 and Aug 12.
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- Billy Mitchell to carry Olympic flame through Albert Square - Nov 15, 2011
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- A factory for fake visas in Bangladesh - Sep 23, 2011
- UK court sentences Indian restaurants' owner for employing illegal immigrants - Feb 21, 2011
- Work shortage hits London airport - Feb 26, 2012
- UK mission confirms arrest of 18 illegal Indian immigrants - Aug 11, 2010
- 33 Bangladeshi migrants held in Britain - Jul 05, 2012
- 18 Indian immigrants arrested in Britain - Aug 11, 2010
- 36 Indian illegal immigrants arrested in Britain - Dec 01, 2010
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