Illegal Workers Found at Restaurant.

15 December 2010, 06:55 | Updated: 15 December 2010, 07:09

Three illegal immigrants have been caught in a raid on a Stowmarket restaurant.

Officers from the Suffolk and North-East Essex Local Immigration Team visited the Chinese Chequers in Ipswich Street early on Friday afternoon.

Immigration checks revealed that three members of the kitchen staff – two men aged 30 and 21 and a 22-year-old woman from China - had come to the UK illegally.
 
The UK Border Agency will now take action to remove the offenders from the country as soon as possible and the Chinese Chequers faces a possible fine of up to £30,000 – £10,000 per illegal worker – if the employer cannot prove that the correct pre-employment checks were carried out.
 
Chief Immigration Officer Dave Butler said “Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

“As this operation shows, we are making it harder than ever for people to evade our immigration controls.

“Like all our visits, this was intelligence led and I would urge anyone to let us know when they have information about suspected immigration offenders.”  

Immigration Minister Damian Green said: “This operation is among many being carried out across the country following the success of a major crackdown on immigration crime during the summer, which generated a large number of arrests, cash seizures and prosecutions as well as fresh intelligence.

“Illegal immigration puts huge pressure on the public purse at a time when the country can least afford it. Together with the police and the Serious Organised Crime Agency we will continue to make life as difficult as possible for those who cheat the immigration system.”