Takeaway closed as staff are arrested by immigration officers

STV
Arrest: Officials say the four Chinese nationals will be deported as soon as possible.© UK Border Agency

A West Lothian takeaway has closed after its staff were arrested as illegal immigrants.

Four workers at Broxburn’s Taste of China were detained by staff from the UK Border Agency on Monday following a tip-off.

Three Chinese men and one Chinese woman were found to be working illegally in the shop, which then had to close because of a lack of workers. It could also face a hefty fine for breaching employment laws.

All four illegal immigrants will now be required to report to Border officers on a regular basis while work to obtain travel documents for their deportation continues.

Damian Green, the UK’s Immigration Minister, said: “The Government has tasked the UK Border Agency with carrying out an intense period of enforcement activity over the summer. We are determined to make it harder than ever for illegal immigrants to come to the UK.

“Illegal immigration puts pressure on public services, local communities and legitimate businesses at a time when this country cannot afford it.

“That's why the UK Border Agency is working to cut out illegal employment, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised traffickers, being used by foreign nationals to try and stay in the UK illegally.”

Phil Taylor, regional director of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “Where there are skills shortages people can apply to come here legitimately.

“If people ignore our immigration laws, we will find them and remove them from the country.

“Any employer who takes on foreign nationals without permission to work in the UK is breaking the law, undermining law-abiding businesses and faces fines of up to £10,000 per illegal employee”.

The Taste of China was served with a civil penalty notice for employing the illegal workers. If the employer is unable to provide evidence that legally required checks were carried out before giving the jobs they will face a fine of up to £40,000 will be imposed.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.