Immigration officials have arrested a number of workers at a building site in Ipswich.

Eleven men were arrested when officers from the UK Border Agency swooped on Stoke Quay, a regeneration development in the town’s Waterfront area, early this morning.

The men were questioned about their right to work in the UK before the arrests were made.

They were working for a subcontractor at the site and are not connected to the site’s primary construction firm, ISG Jackson.

An ISG spokesperson said: “We have been liaising closely with Home Office Immigration to facilitate a pre-planned operation this morning focusing on a number of individuals working for one of our subcontractors.”

Ten of the men have been arrested under suspicion of illegal entry into the UK, while one of them was arrested under suspicion of immigration offences.

The majority of the men are believed to be Albanian, with others from India. Eight of the men had been living in Ipswich, while three were living in Essex.

Their ages ranged from 20 to 44, with most of the men in their 20s.

All of the men were conveyed to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre today while investigations continue into their background, countries of origin and who was employing them.

Members of the public reported seeing several vans emblazoned with the Immigration Enforcement logo arrive at the building site from Great Whip Street entrance this morning before making the arrests.

In a statement the Home Office said: “Home Office immigration enforcement officers carried out an operation targeting illegal working at a building site in Ipswich today.

“Those present were questioned about their right to work and be in the UK. Eleven arrests were made and enquiries into their immigration status are continuing.

“Further details will be provided in due course.”