Three arrested by immigration officers in raid on Chinese takeaway
IMMIGRATION officers arrested three people in a raid on a Chinese takeaway in New Milton.
Acting on a tip-off, they swooped on Dream Gourmet in Old Milton Road at 6.30pm last Thursday.
As well as the arrests, they hit the outlet with a civil penalty referral – which could result in a fine of up to £40,000.
A Home Office spokesman confirmed to the A&T a 31-year-old Chinese man was arrested as checks showed he had overstayed his visa. He was formally detained pending removal from the UK.
The officers also encountered a 42-year-old Chinese man and checks determined he entered the UK illegally. He was placed on immigration bail while his case is progressed.
A 47-year-old woman was apprehended on suspicion of obstructing an immigration officer. She was later released on bail pending further enquiries.
The spokesman added: “Dream Gourmet was served a civil penalty referral notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.
"This is a potential total of up to £40,000.”
Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties.