A cupcake protest against a government campaign to send illegal immigrants home has been staged by Brent residents.

Cupcakes printed with pro-immigration and anti-UK Border Agency slogans were handed out at Kensal Green tube station where UKBA officers were accused of being “heavy handed” as they carried out spot checks to detect illegal immigrants in July.

Protestor Rani Khanna, a Brent resident for 20 years, said: “Our neighbourhood is and has always been a melting pot. “We cherish diversity and want to keep it that way.

“The UKBA’s stance on immigration is a serious threat to our community’s cohesion and we want it to stop.”

Protesters also made a stand against the vans bearing slogans telling illegal immigrants to “go home or face arrest” that were driven around six London boroughs in July, including Brent.

Alongside the cupcakes, freedom passports listing people’s rights in the event of being questioned by a UKBA officer were handed out by protestors at the August 24 event.