Four illegal workers arrested in raids on Paignton restaurants
FOUR men from Bangladesh and China have been arrested in raids targeting illegal workers at two restaurants in Paignton.
UK Border Agency officers, acting on information, went to Rickshaw Boy, Roundham Road, and questioned staff about their immigration status.
A Chinese worker was arrested after Border Agency officials say he was found to have stayed in the UK illegally after his visa expired.
Officers then went to Thariks Indian restaurant, Torquay Road, where three Bangladeshi members of staff were also found by officers to have over-stayed their visas.
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The raids took place on Thursday, November 29.
The four men arrested were taken to Torquay police station.
One of the Bangladeshi men has been released and must report regularly to a local police station while work is carried out to remove him from the UK.
The other three men arrested have been transferred to immigration detention pending their removal from the country.
Kenny Chapman, of the UK Border Agency, said: "Our teams are carrying out operations like this across Devon on a regular basis and offenders should know there is no hiding place.
"We are also looking to target employers who take on illegal workers and who encourage illegal immigration in the process.
"We're happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be made on staff, but those who choose to break the law should know they will face heavy fines."
Rickshaw Boy and Thariks now could face penalties of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker.
To avoid a fine, the employers must provide evidence the correct right-to-work checks were carried out like taking copies of a Home Office document or passport.
Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.
The agency also provides support to employers so they can understand the rules, including visits by staff, a dedicated telephone helpline and website.
Anyone who has information on suspected immigration offenders can visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/report-crime/
Comments
by Incredulous2
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 9:52PM
“I don't suppose they were declared on the census returns that were completed last year.......”