‘Illegal immigrants’ detained at New Forest care home
Eleven suspected illegal immigrants have been detained following a raid at a Hampshire private nursing home.
UK Border Agency officers, along with Hampshire police, raided Linford Park Nursing Home in Poulner, Ringwood, at about 0600 BST.
Three other people have also been held “regarding the standard of care provided to a resident”, police said.
The operation targeted “immigration offenders working illegally”. The council has moved some residents.
The owner was unavailable for comment when the BBC contacted the home.
“Eleven people have been detained and further interviews with them are to be carried out,” a spokesman for the border agency added.
“The operation was intelligence-led and targeted immigration offenders working illegally at the home.
Ongoing assessment
“Inquiries are still continuing at the home.”
The agency said the raid was supported by Hampshire County Council adult services.
Meanwhile, Hampshire Constabulary said: ” As a result of action taken by the UK Border Agency, supported by Adult Services, earlier today, an issue was uncovered regarding the standard of care provided to a resident at Linford Park Nursing Home in Ringwood, and the agencies contacted the police accordingly.
“Public Protection Unit officers from Hampshire Constabulary are now investigating this matter.
“Three people have been arrested, and currently remain in police custody.”
Councillor Felicity Hindson, Hampshire’s executive member for adult social care, said: “The care and wellbeing of the frail residents at the home near Ringwood is paramount and we have been carrying out individual assessments during the day.
“We have had to move a number of the most vulnerable and frail elderly people to alternative care.
“These include some residents who are the responsibility of other agencies and we are working closely with those authorities and our colleagues in the health service.”
The Care Quality Commission said: “The safety and wellbeing of the residents is our number one priority.
“We will monitor the situation extremely closely over the next few days and will take any further action that may be required.”
