ILLEGAL workers from Bangladesh were arrested at two Dorset restaurants at the weekend.

Home Office immigration enforcement officers visited Ferndown Tandoori in Wimborne Road, Ferndown, and Spice of India in Kinson Road, Bournemouth, on Saturday evening.

They questioned staff about their immigration status and at the Ferndown restaurant all four staff members present were found to be working illegally, leading to its closure that evening.

One of the men, a 32-year-old, was arrested and is now detained pending his removal from the UK.

The other three, aged between 30 and 43, will have to report regularly to the Home Office while their cases are progressed.

At Spice of India, three men also from Bangladesh were found to be working illegally.

Two, aged 30 and 45, were arrested and detained pending removal from the UK.

The third man, 38, was escorted from the premises and will also have to wait while his case is progressed.

Carla Johnson, from the South Central Home Office Immigration Enforcement team, said: “Our specialist teams carry out regular operations in Bournemouth and anyone who is in the UK illegally faces arrest, detention and removal from the country.

“Illegal working defrauds the taxpayer, undercuts honest businesses and cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment opportunities.

“We rely on information from the public and I would urge people to report suspected immigration abuse to us.”

Both businesses will be served a notice warning that financial penalties of up to £20,000 per illegal worker found will be imposed unless they can demonstrate that appropriate right to work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

If proof is not provided, this is a potential total of up to £80,000 for Ferndown Tandoori and £60,000 for Spice of India.

Sentence for employing illegal workers to increase

NEW measures included in the Immigration Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament, will make it easier to prosecute employers using illegal labour.

The Bill will increase the maximum prison sentence for employing illegal workers to five years and also close down businesses which continue to flout the rules.

Those who work illegally will themselves be committing a criminal offence and face the prospect of having their earnings seized.

Employers with questions about checking a job applicant’s right to work in the UK can call the Home Office support line for advice on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with concerns about illegal working or non compliant employers can report this to the Home Office online here.