Two arrests made in takeaway raid

Enforcement officers visited Millers Indian Takeaway in Platt Bridge and found two Pakistani men did not have the right to live and work in the country.

One man, aged 33, was found to be in the UK illegally and a 44-year-old man had overstayed his visitor’s visa. Both are now in detention and awaiting a flight out of the country.

The takeaway’s bosses were also warned they face a massive fine of up to £40,000 if they cannot demonstrate they carried out proper background checks on the men.

Officials questioned staff at the Millers Lane takeaway about their eligibility to live and have a job in the country during the visit on Wednesday August 10.

The business was served with a warning notice that fines of up to £20,000 would be imposed per illegal worker if it could not demonstrate it had done right-to-work document checks.

The takeaway will now have to provide proof that it asked to see a Home Office document confirming the men had permission to work or a passport.

Paul Airlie, head of Immigration Enforcement Manchester, said: “Illegal working is not a victimless crime. It cheats the taxpayer, meaning less money is available for vital public services, undercuts honest employers and denies legitimate job seekers employment opportunities.

“Our immigration enforcement teams carry out regular operations to tackle abuse of the system. We take reports of illegal working very seriously and I would urge members of the public with specific information about suspected immigration abuse to report it to us.”

Employers can find out more about preventing illegal working at www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties