TEN workers were arrested when immigration officials raided a Bicester food factory.

The UK Border Agency and two police officers arrived at Just Prepared, in Bainton Close, off Charbridge Way, at 10.30am yesterday.

Documents for about 30 staff were inspected and those of anyone believed to be working illegally were checked against Home Office records.

Ten men, aged between 24 and 48, were arrested and taken to their homes – which were searched for travel documents, such as passports and visas.

The company, which produces salad and vegetable packs, was last night issued with a notice of potential liability, which means it could be fined up to £10,000 for each illegal worker.

Chief Immigration Officer Alex Legg said: “We’re planning a number of operations and have been working on this for a month, after receiving information.”

Immigration officers stressed that the firm had records for all its staff, although it said some may have used fake documents to get work. They said five of the men held had come from India, four from Sri Lanka and one from Pakistan.

Three are believed to have outstayed their visas, one was working in breach of a student visa and another was a failed asylum seeker. Five of the group were thought to have entered the country illegally.

Barry Spencer, owner of Just Prepared, declined to comment.

Officers had been watching the site ahead of the raid and applied to Bicester Magistrates’ Court for a warrant.

Mr Legg, said: “We have seen, in some instances, false documents used and in other instances the identification provided did not match what the Home Office had on record.”

Pc Ben Henley, of Thames Valley Police, said: “We were there to execute the warrant, to stop any breach of the peace and support officers from UK Borders.”

All 10 men were still in custody last night, while officials checked whether they were entitled to work in the UK.

If proper travel documents are found, some could be deported within 72 hours. If not, they may be sent to an immigration detention centre while further checks are carried out.