Video: Pakistani groom and East Europe bride arrested in Leeds raid

A “bride and groom” were today led away in handcuffs by police and UK Border Agency (UKBA) staff who had raided a wedding service in Leeds as part of an investigation into sham marriages.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Mar 2011, 15:19 BST

The pair were among seven members of a wedding party detained by around a dozen officers at Leeds Town Hall.

The UKBA said a 23-year-old Pakistani man and a 22-year-old Slovakian woman were arrested as they prepared to take their vows. Both were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to assist unlawful entry into the UK.

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Three other Pakistani men, aged 21, 23 and 32, and two other Slovakian women, aged 22 and 32, were detained for questioning, the UKBA said.

Officers have also searched several addresses today in Leeds in connection with the investigation.

Acting Detective Inspector Pete Gallagher, of the UK Border Agency immigration crime team, said: “We suspect that the sole purpose of this marriage would have been for the groom to avoid immigration controls and stay in the UK.

“The individuals arrested have now been taken to the Leeds Bridewell (police station) where they will be questioned.”

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UKBA regional director Jeremy Oppenheim said: “The UK Border Agency will not tolerate immigration abuse and we are cracking down on sham marriages all over the country.

“Our aim is to identify the organisers who seek to profit from these illegal activities and destroy their criminal operations.

“We work closely with registrars and vicars to identify marriages that may not be genuine and we will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action against those involved in arranging sham marriages.”