Illegal immigrants arrested, Seaton

Two set to be deported after UK Border Agency raids restaurants.

ILLEGAL immigrants have been found working in Seaton following a series of raids by the UK Border Agency.

Two Bangladeshi men were arrested after it was discovered they had stayed in the UK illegally after their visas had expired. They were caught working at Monsoon and Rajpoot restaurants.

A 31-year-old, found at Monsoon restaurant, in The Underfleet, and a 36-year-old, found at Rajpoot, in Harbour Road, were taken to Exeter police station for questioning.

The businesses were served with civil penalty notices for employing illegal staff following the raids last Wednesday.

The employers now face fines of up to �10,000 per illegal worker - unless they can prove the correct pre-employment checks were carried out.

Jane Farleigh, regional director of the UK Border Agency in Wales and the South West, said: “These successful enforcement operations show that we are cracking down on illegal working across Devon.

“Our operations are based on information received and we encourage anyone who has information on illegal workers and the businesses which employ them to get in touch with us.”

The enforcement operations were part of a planned nationwide action by the UK Border Agency to tackle illegal working, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised immigration crime.

Damian Green, the immigration minister, said: “The Government has tasked the UK Border Agency with carrying out an intense period of enforcement activity over the summer.

“We are determined to make it harder than ever for illegal immigrants to come to the UK.

“Illegal immigration puts pressure on public services, local communities and legitimate businesses at a time when this country cannot afford it.”