Illegal workers held in immigration raids in Cornwall

Two business owners in Cornwall are facing fines after four illegal workers were arrested during immigration raids.

Two Chinese men, aged 24 and 38, were held after UK Border Agency officers raided the Red Panda in Callington.

Two Bangladeshi men, aged 21 and 22, were then arrested by officers at the Saltash Tandoori, Saltash.

The 21-year-old Bangladeshi has been flown back to his home country and the others are awaiting deportation after the raids on 18 October.

Right-to-work checks

The 24-year-old Chinese man had a student visa which had expired, while the 38-year-old had entered the UK illegally.

In Saltash, the 22-year-old Bangladesh had overstayed an entertainer's visa and the 21-year-old was working in breach of the conditions of a student visa.

Unless the owners of the restaurants can prove the correct "right-to-work" checks were carried out, both now face penalties of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker they employed, the agency said.

Kenny Chapman, South West immigration team spokesman, said: "We do not expect employers to be immigration experts, but they must make basic checks on migrant workers before they employ them.

"We will not tolerate illegal working which undercuts wages and exploits vulnerable workers."