THREE suspected illegal workers were arrested during operations by the UK Border Agency in Ellesmere Port.
Officers targeted two restaurants on Monday, June 30, on the basis of intelligence gathered by the Agency’s Liverpool-based enforcement team.
They first visited Peking Kitchen, Milton Road, Ellesmere Port.
Inside officers checked identity documents of workers to establish whether they had the right to work, and a Chinese man and a Chinese woman were arrested on suspicion of being illegal workers.
The man was also arrested on suspicion of having a false National Insurance card.
A Notice of Public Liability was also served against the owner of the business for employing someone without the right to work.
The owner could face a fine of up to £10,000 per employee. The Agency’s civil penalties department is now dealing with the case.
Officers then visited the Massala takeaway, Cambridge Road, where they encountered a Bangladeshi man suspected of working illegally. He was questioned and placed on immigration bail.
Steps will now be taken to try and remove all three from the country.
Chief immigration officer for Wirral and Cheshire, Marie Hennessey said: “Acting on information received, we carried out two operations in Ellesmere Port which has helped us to get the message across to local businesses and the public that we will not tolerate illegal working and will take action against those believed to be responsible.
“We will continue to make clear to local businesses that we will not tolerate illegal working. By removing three people from the workplace we have demonstrated that we will act on all information we receive.”
Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business should contact Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be assured.
