Thirty-six Indian nationals have been arrested during a joint UKBA / Southall Police Operation to crack down on illegal working in Southall.

At 7:30 on Tuesday morning, around 20 UKBA agents and 25 local police officers targeted individuals who gather in the King Street car park area looking for work.

Thirty-six Indian men were arrested for various immigration offences including 16 who had overstayed their visas.

Thirty-four of the 36 arrested are currently in immigration detention awaiting removal from the country. Two have been released on immigration bail.

One of those arrested, a 26-year-old Indian man is in police custody on suspicion of money laundering. A quantity of cash was also seized from his home address.

The UK Border Agency carries out hundreds of operations like this every year across London.

Chief Inspector Colin Wingrove said: "This shows our commitment to respond to local concerns with levels of illegal immigration and work with our UKBA partners to tackle the issue making Southall Safer."