Immigration officials take away two staff from Brighton Chinese restaurant

Two staff were arrested in a raid on a Chinese takeaway in Brighton by Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers.

The officers arrested two Chinese nationals – a 36-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man – who were found to have entered Britain illegally.

The pair were being held at an immigration removal centre while their employer faces a £20,000 fine.

They were arrested at the Canton Chinese Takeaway in King’s Parade, Ditchling Road, Brighton, late on Thursday afternoon (13 June).

The Home Office said that the officers were acting on intelligence and had served a notice on the takeaway warning the owners that they face a five-figure fine.

Unless proof is provided that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out, the takeaway will be ordered to pay a civil penalty of up to £10,000 for each of the two illegal workers.

Louise Whiteoak, head of the Home Office Immigration Enforcement team in Kent and Sussex, said: “While we are happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be made on staff, those who do break the law will face financial consequences.

“These arrests show there is nowhere to hide for those who are in the country illegally.

“Anyone we find doing so faces arrest and removal.

“Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, undermining legitimate businesses and taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

“I would urge members of the public with information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch.”

Employers can find out what steps to take to avoid employing illegal workers here or they can call the Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.