Four People Caught Working Illegally

Four immigration offenders have been caught by the UK Border Agency in a raid on a restaurant.

Officers from the Local Immigration Team for Norfolk visited The Gate of India in Market Place in Aylsham shortly before 7pm on Thursday 15th September.

Immigration checks revealed that four men were working illegally. Two - aged 36 and 30 - had overstayed their visas and two - aged 32 and 27 - were illegal entrants to the UK. All four were from Bangladesh.

The UK Border Agency is now working to remove them from the country.

The restaurant now faces a potential fine of up to £40,000 - £10,000 per illegal worker - unless it can prove the correct pre-employment checks were carried out.

Immigration Officer Kieran Bower said:

"The penalties for businesses that break the rules are substantial, with severe fines and the potential of prosecution for repeat offenders.

If people want to work in the UK, they should apply to come here legitimately.

But if they decide to ignore immigration laws, we will find them and look to remove them from the country."

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/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 Norfolk and Suffolk can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.