A popular Wiltshire hand car wash business has been fined £20,000 for employing illegal workers.

The Diamond Car Wash on Trowbridge Road in Westbury was handed the civil penalty by the government following an investigation into illegal workers being employed.

The company fined, Diamond Car Wash & Valeting Ltd, appears to have since left the site, which is now no longer operating and lies vacant.

The car wash site frequently had drivers queuing off the A350 main road to gain access to the forecourt.

The Diamond hand car wash at Westbury appears to have closed after being fined £20,000 following a Home Office crackdown on illegal workers. The Diamond hand car wash at Westbury. (Image: Trevor Porter)

The car wash telephone line is no longer in service. At the time of writing the Wiltshire Times has failed to receive a response from an email asking for a comment.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced last month the government would crack down on unscrupulous employers who are hiring migrants illegally and exploiting vulnerable people and disrupt the criminal networks who bring the workers to the UK.  

During an intensive week of action from Sunday, August 18 to Saturday, August 24, immigration enforcement teams carried out targeted visits to rogue businesses suspected of employing illegal workers, with a particular focus on car washes.  

More than 275 premises were targeted, with 135 receiving notices for employing illegal workers. In addition, 85 illegal workers were detained.  

Yvette Cooper said: “It is completely wrong that dodgy employers can work hand-in-glove with the smuggling gangs who risk people’s lives to bring them here illegally and push them into off-the-books employment. 

“These workers are sold complete lies by the gangs before being made to live and work in appalling conditions for a pittance. We are determined to put a stop to this, which is exactly why we have launched crackdowns such as this. 

“While this operation marks an important step forward, our commitment to tackling this issue is ongoing. We will ensure those who break the rules face the full force of the law.”

The Home Office said the operation is part of a larger, ongoing effort to tackle illegal employment and exploitation of vulnerable people in the UK and that more operations of this kind will be conducted shortly. 

The maximum civil penalty for employing illegal workers is £45,000 per worker for a first offence and £60,000 per worker for repeat violations.