Controversial immigration spot checks at train stations will be used again, the immigration minister said this morning.

14 people were arrested in August during an operation at Walthamstow Central which some claimed was carried out on the basis of people’s appearance.

UK immigration minister Mark Harper said the intelligence-led operation, and one in Kensal Green on the same day, had seen 77 people stopped and 17 arrested for being in the UK illegally.

The checks came at the same time as vans with the message “go home or face arrest” were driven through Waltham Forest and nearby boroughs.

Mr Harper told the BBC that his department believe the spot checks, which have run since 2008, are successful and that the arrest rate from the operations was “very good”, warranting the continued use of the tactic.

Operations from July 30 and August 1 have seen six people removed from the UK while two have outstanding asylum claims and 10 are in the removals process.

The UK Border Agency said the operations were intelligence-led and did not target people based on their appearance.