IMMIGRATION officials have raided a new retirement home development.

Plain-clothed officers and police vans moved in to the Gradwell Park development in South Chailey.

A Home Office spokeswoman confirmed the incident.

She revealed that Immigration Enforcement Officers, acting on intelligence, had visited the Gradwell Park Development at about 10am.

Four Albanian men, two Ukrainian men and two Kazakhstani who had entered the UK illegally and had no right to work were detained pending their removal from the UK.

Lawrence Bake Limited, the specialist care contractor responsible for the site, could face a civil penatly of up to £180,000.

A witness said: “They appeared out of thin air.

“I saw about ten guys being taken away.

“It was all very quick and panicked and men were running from the site into neighbouring fields so I don’t know if there’s any people still hiding in the area.”

Images from the site show a series of Immigration Enforcement vans parked at the sight as several officers patrol the grounds.

Officers remained at the scene into the afternoon.