Tangmere and Bognor men in migrant workers investigation bailed

The man from Tangmere, 31, and the man from Bognor, 43, were released on bail yesterday evening (Wednesday, November 2) until February 17 next year. They were bailed along with two other men, from Portsmouth and Hayling Island.

The four men were arrested by Sussex detectives, accompanied by investigators from the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA). They had been detained on suspicion of fraud and the unlicensed supply of staff.

The GLA is investigating allegations of controlling and gaining illegal benefit from the work of migrant workers employed in farms and nurseries in West Sussex.

An office in Portsmouth and one in Havant were also entered on the authority of a PACE warrant. Addresses have been searched and quantities of documents and computer-related material have been seized.

Officers and GLA staff also visited six West Sussex nurseries, two in Ferring, one in Chidham, one in Walberton, one in Angmering and one in Funtington, to talk to managers and workers and seek further information about their experiences.

No arrests have been made at those locations.