01 February 2011
Three illegal workers have been caught following an immigration raid at a Woking takeaway by the UK Border Agency.
Acting on information received, officers from the agency went to The Village, St Johns Road, Woking on 26 January.
After checking the immigration status of staff officers found 3 men aged 32, 40 and 45, all from Bangladesh working illegally.
Two of the men were arrested and have been detained in custody pending their removal from the UK. The remaining one has been released on immigration bail while the UK Border Agency takes steps to deport him.
The Village Indian Takeaway now faces a potential fine of up to £30,000 if the employers cannot prove that the correct right-to-work checks - such as asking for a passport or work permit - were carried out.
Rob Allen, who heads the UK Border Agency's local immigration team for Surrey said:
'The message is clear for employers ? we will not tolerate illegal working. It is a crime that not only undercuts local business but also has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.
'It is the legal responsibility of all employers to check that staff have the right to work in the UK. There are simple ways of checking a foreign national's right to work and there are no excuses for failing to do so.'
Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on thousands of companies which fail to carry out the necessary right-to-work checks on their staff.
Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/advice-for-employers or they can call the UK Border Agency's Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.
Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business in Hampshire can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime.
