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Illegal workers await deportation in Cornwall and Devon
03 November 2009
Two businesses in Cornwall and Devon have been caught employing illegal workers following intelligence-led visits by the UK Border Agency.
We act on intelligence to target businesses which employ illegal workers and will work to remove anyone we find with no right to be in the UK. Jane Farleigh, Regional Director of the UK Border Agency in Wales and the South West
A team of officers based in Plymouth went to the Taj Mahal, 57 Victoria Road, St Austell, at about 17.40 on Tuesday, 27 October. After the immigration status of staff was checked two Bangladeshi men, employed as a waiter and a cook, were found to have no legal right to work in the United Kingdom. The 27 and 31-year-olds were arrested and taken to Newquay police station and remain in detention pending their removal from the United Kingdom.
The business was served with an on-the-spot notice, which warns the employers they will be fined unless they can give proof they carried out legally-required checks on staff from outside Europe such as asking for a passport or work permit. Failure to do so may result in a fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker.
Earlier on the same day, officers went to Bombay Brasserie, Unit 1, Penrose House, Sutton Road, Plymouth, entering at about 1200. There, a Bangladeshi chef was found working illegally. The 37-year-old man was arrested and taken to Charles Cross police station. He has been released on immigration bail and must report regularly to a local police station while the UK Border Agency secures the emergency passport necessary for his removal from the country.
Jane Farleigh, Regional Director of the UK Border Agency in Wales and the South West, said:
'We act on intelligence to target businesses which employ illegal workers and will work to remove anyone we find with no right to be in the UK.
'Illegal working is not a victimless crime. It undercuts honest employers and has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.
'The UK Border Agency works with employers so they understand the rules, but businesses have a clear responsibility to carry out the right checks before taking on migrant workers.
'If they fail to do so, they face heavy fines."
The civil penalty system was introduced by the Government last year and provides a swift and effective means of tackling employers who make inadequate checks on their workers from outside Europe.
A penalty of up to £10,000 can be handed out for each illegal worker found at a business.
Identity cards for foreign nationals are also being rolled out, which will help protect against identity fraud and illegal working.
Guidance for employers on preventing illegal working can be found on the UK Border Agency website, www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers or by calling the UK Border Agency Employers Helpline on 0845 010 6677.
Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business in Cornwall and Devon can contact the UK Border Agency on 01752 275161.