A specialist supermarket in Bradford has been warned it faces a fine of up to £60,000 after the UK Border Agency found six illegal immigrants employed at two stores.

Officers from the agency targeted Al Halal supermarkets in Woodhead Road and Great Horton Road, in Bradford, on Wednesday.

Five Pakistani nationals, one Indian and one Iraqi – four men and three women – were arrested. One was later released without charge.

The agency has said steps are now being taken to remove the illegal immigrants, who are aged between 26 and 45, from the country.

Al Halal has been served with a civil penalty notice warning the employers that a fine of up to £60,000 will be imposed unless proof is provided that legally-required checks were made before giving the foreign nationals jobs.

Jeremy Oppenheim, regional director for the UK Border Agency, warned people living or working illegally in the UK will be caught.

He said: “If people want to live or work in the UK, there are ways they can come here legitimately – such as applying through our points-based system for migration.

“If people choose to flout the law, we will find them and look to remove them from the country.

“Any employer who takes on a foreign national without permission to work in the UK is breaking the law, undermining law-abiding businesses and faces a big fine.”

The Government is making a series of reforms to the UK’s immigration system. ID Cards for foreign nationals are being introduced which will help protect against identity fraud and illegal working.

The Australian-style points based system for managing migration is ensuring only those with the skills the UK needs are allowed to work.

Anyone who has information on immigration offenders in Bradford can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.