28th July 2010

DORCHESTER: Border officials take away illegal Chinese immigrants

by Paul Crompton

ILLEGAL workers are this week facing deportation after UK Border Agency officials swooped on two Dorchester takeaways in planned raids.

Acting on tip-offs the officials raided the fast food outlets and arrested four illegal workers, which could cost the establishments up to £10, 000 per offender in fines.

After checking the immigration status of people at the Golden Lotus, 5 Trinity Street at about 5.40pm on site, officers found three Chinese men with no right to work in the UK.

A 23-year-old man and 37 year-old man were arrested and taken to Weymouth Police Station for questioning following the raids on Wednesday, July 21st.

They were later released on condition they report regularly to a local police station while the agency secures the travel documents necessary to remove them from the UK.

A third Chinese man with no right to work in the UK was dealt with at the scene and must also report a local police station while steps are taken to remove him from the country.

Officers then raided the Tiger Chan takeaway, 80-82 Mellstock Avenue, at 9.30pm where they arrested a 33-year-old Indonesian kitchen worker after it was found his visa had expired.

He was also taken to Weymouth Police Station and will remain in immigration detention pending an outstanding immigration appeal. If he found to have no right to stay in the UK, he will be removed from the country.

Both takeaways were served with civil penalty notices and face huge fines if they are unable to provide evidence legally required checks were carried out before giving the workers jobs.

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

Damian Green, the Immigration Minister, said: “Illegal immigration puts pressure on public services, local communities and legitimate businesses at a time when this country cannot afford it.

“That’s why the UK Border Agency is working to cut out illegal employment, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised traffickers, being used by foreign nationals to try and stay in the UK illegally.”

Advice for employers about how to employ migrant workers legally is available from the UK Border Agency on http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/

Anyone who has information on immigration offenders in Dorset can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.