Man chased by police checking on immigrants
POLICE officers chased an illegal immigrant through the streets of Southmead after he fled from his car cleaning job.
The Nigerian made off as soon as he saw police pull up at Clean Hands Valeting in Pen Park Road yesterday morning.
Members of Southmead neighbourhood policing team, the UK Border Agency, Safer Bristol and Avon Fire and Rescue carried out an operation to ensure several businesses were employing workers legally and complying with fire safety regulations.
But when the convoy of one marked van and two cars pulled up at Clean Hands, a 30-year-old man ran across the road in a bid to get away. He was chased by several officers who caught up with him on nearby Fonthill Road and arrested him.
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They found a large amount of cash in one of his pockets and when a UKBA officer carried out checks, she discovered he had entered the UK legally but had overstayed and had no right to remain here.
Hazel Barthelet, the driver who was having her car washed when the man ran away, could not believe what was happening.
The Henbury resident said: "I was sat in the car while he was washing it, on my phone, then all of a sudden he disappeared. I didn't know what was going on."
Hazel, who works in sales for Granite Transformation in Henleaze, added: "I was hoping to get someone else to wash my car but there's no-one else here. If I knew how to work the hose, I'd do it myself. Fortunately, I hadn't paid up front."
Martin White, who owns MW Autos next to Clean Hands, said: "It's a good thing when police do something like this. They (those arrested) probably come over here to get a better life, but there's ways and means of doing it and they've got to do it legally."
Another Nigerian man, who claimed to be under 18, was arrested on Southmead Road, having been found in possession of suspected fake identity documents and was also found to have overstayed in the UK.
Meanwhile, Safer Bristol community safety officer Cheryl Coles knocked on houses and businesses nearby reassuring people about what was going on.
Checks were also carried out on workers at Mario's car wash, located behind Clean Hands, but all of the staff there, who were Slovakian nationals, had the correct documentation and were legally in the UK.
Police Sergeant Matt Britton said: "The aims of today were to make sure these people are working legally and to make sure the premises were safe and sound. We've got local people who are working hard and trying to make a living. We want those people to be able to compete on an even playing field with everyone else."
Comments
by BedmoBlues
Thursday, March 22 2012, 4:48PM
“Nice to see no "gas them" psychoes for once on this site. I think a bit of positive Tory PR is going on here, lot of conservative joy over "tougher" borders. As one of the few 20 something Britons not currently over-staying a tourist visa in australia or new zealand I think it's a bit rich that we hammer on about border control so much. He's employed, allowed a visiting visa and now supposedly the border agency have "chased" him down. If he had a visa I assume the detective work involved was a matter of looking up a few spreadsheets. Amazing. Streets are safer tonight...and as for Big Greg's "criminal record" and "NHS" malarky, you should emigrate to the US mate, methinks you'd fit in better. Shame really, hear it's really hard to get a green card...”
by Pogo_T_Clown
Thursday, March 22 2012, 4:31PM
“So how about this...
If there's a job that has been available for more than a year, offer it to any illegal immigrants that're on the books. If they accept it, they can stay as long as they work there for a year.
That way, jobs that need doing get done and the real villains of the piece become those legal British residents who'd rather sit on the dole than get a job. Everyone's a winner.
Obviously, some of the details need worked on but you get the gist.”
by groovygems
Thursday, March 22 2012, 4:08PM
“maximus,read the article first !!he was allowed into the uk but has OVERSTAYED.if we allow people into this country and they all overstayed we would be in an even bigger mess than we are now.the guys in marios have been there a long time now and are using foreign nationals who are here legally,good luck to them.but we have to have law and order,and we have to have border controls,wake up maximus your in a dream world.”
by Big_Gregory
Thursday, March 22 2012, 3:28PM
“Lets just let him and any other illegal immigrants in then shall we. We have no idea what sort of background such individuals may have - could have a criminal past and presumably should they have the misfortune to become ill or have an injury our overstretched NHS will help them out.
There is nothing wrong with trying to retain some border control is there? If someone knowingly enters illegally they have to be removed, otherwise what sort of message would that send out? If I go to Australia without the correct papers or overstay my visa I expect to be removed.”
by Maximus2012
Thursday, March 22 2012, 3:25PM
“It's strange to read some people's views on other people. It's as if these other people are not people at all, but are instead some sort of sub human race making their way over to the UK with the sole purpose of destroying the precious pride of some local. How many British people would work at a car wash or at any of the jobs that these people do? The UK is home to a lot of lazy, benefit scrounging bunch of re*ards, who have less "right to be here" than this man, whatever that means. "They shouldn't be here"? Be where? Remind me where we are again, because I thought we were on a planet that is for everyone. It is funny to hear people talk as if they own the rights to the earth they inhabit. The human race can be so ignorant at times. The desire for separation from others is exactly the reason why we are unable to progress as a species. "It's they or I". No it's not. We are all the same.”
by Morrissey9
Thursday, March 22 2012, 2:52PM
“Is he really doing that much harm cleaning cars for a few quid in Southmead? It is not like he is collecting benefits as an illegal immigrant is it!”
by CharltonHayes
Thursday, March 22 2012, 2:42PM
“Looks like 'Clean Hands Valeting' got its hands dirty....”
by winford
Thursday, March 22 2012, 12:43PM
“If they are illegal - then just deport them now - not years down the line. They shouldnt be here ansd therefore should not have any of our hard earned money spent on them. Don't keep them until they have a hearing or whatever they have - illegal then they must go now!”
by Big_Gregory
Thursday, March 22 2012, 9:52AM
“Good work. However, what odds this chap is still here in a few years time resisting deportation. I expect he was bailed never to be seen again!”