Five illegal Bangladeshi workers arrested in Robertsbridge

Five Bangladeshi men were arrested for working illegally in an Indian restaurant in Robertsbridge on Friday (January 8).
Home Office ImmigrationHome Office Immigration
Home Office Immigration

Some members of staff at New Spice, High Street, tried to run when immigration enforcement officers arrived at about 6.10pm.

Two were apprehended in the car park and two others were found in the building’s loft.

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These four along with other members of staff were then questioned to establish whether they had the right to live and work in the UK.

Five men, aged between 31 and 54, were arrested and transferred to immigration detention pending removal from the UK

One had entered the UK illegally and the remaining four had overstayed their visas.

Head of the Kent and Sussex immigration enforcement team assistant director Richard Lederle said: “There will be no slow down in our efforts to tackle illegal working in Sussex.

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“Using illegal labour is not a victimless crime. It defrauds the treasury of much needed funds, undercuts businesses who ply an honest trade and cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment opportunities.

“There are simple checks employers can carry out to ensure their employees have the right to work in the UK.

“Those who choose to ignore the rules will face the consequences.

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

The remaining staff were cleared to work in the UK.

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

If proof is not provided, this is a potential total of up to £100,000.

Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties.

It includes a new quick answer right-to-work tool to help employers check if someone has the right to work in the UK.

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People with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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