Bolton takeaway worker arrested in immigration clamp

7:49am Friday 16th May 2008

A fast-food restaurant worker was arrested during a raid by immigration officers in Bolton.

The man was held on Wednesday evening during an operation by the UK Border Agency.

Border police targeted the Spice on Rice Café in Great Moor Street, Bolton town centre, after intelligence was gathered by the agency's Salford enforcement team.

Officers checked the identity documents of workers to establish whether they had the right to work and a South African man was found to be working illegally.

He has been questioned and steps are now being taken to remove him from the country.

The business will also be served with a notice of public liability which means it could be fined up to £10,000.

Melissa Cole, the immigration officer in charge, said: "Thanks to information received, we have not only been able to make this arrest but have been able to get the message across that we will not tolerate illegal working and will take action against those believed to be responsible."

The owner of Spice on Rice was unavailable to comment yesterday.

The shop was still open, but a sign had been put up in the door saying the business was for sale.

The UK Border Agency's civil penalties unit is now dealing with the case. The agency's Regional Director for the North-west, Gill Mortlock, said: "The agency is determined to put a stop to illegal working in the North-west.

"Immigration officers are focusing on gathering hard intelligence and acting on it, to ensure our laws are not abused."

"Many employers work with us to ensure that they only employ legal workers. Our message to employers who do not take this issue seriously is simple - if you employ illegal workers you could face criminal charges."

A tougher, Australian-style points based system for managing immigration to the UK is being implemented this year.

If employers are found to be in breach of their obligations as "sponsors", they can be stripped of their licence to recruit staff from outside the European Union.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to ensure they do not employ illegal workers can visit www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/ or call the UK Border Agency Employers Helpline on 0845 010 6677.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business in Bolton should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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