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Raid reveals 14 immigrants in one house
An illegal house crammed with immigrants who were using a ditch in the garden for a toilet has been uncovered by Harrow Council.
Officials today (Tuesday) found 14 suspected Chinese illegal immigrants living in a three-bedroom house in Warham Road, Wealdstone.
Council community safety staff, police and immigration service officers raided the semi-detached house at 5am after complaints from neighbours.Some living nearby complained of latrine smells coming from what was later found to be a home-made cesspool in the garden.
Officers found examples of dangerous wiring, including seven rice cookers being run from one power point.
Those living in the property were understood to be working in the construction industry and were collectively paying £1,000 a month in rent.
A council officer said: "The whole floor area was crammed with mattresses. They had converted a downstairs living room off the kitchen into a makeshift bedroom as well."
Immigration officials arrested two people for questioning and Harrow Council plans to prosecute the property's owner for running a house of multiple occupation (HMO) without a licence.
The council's portfolio holder for environment services Councillor Susan Hall said: "Illegal houses of multiple occupation present a clear danger to those living in them and a nuisance to those living nearby - in this case neighbours who were disturbed by smells.
"Landlords who decide to profit from cramming people into properties should take note that we will take enforcement action to stop this kind of exploitation."
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I wonder if they even deported any?