Immigration offenders found at New Moonflower restaurant

Five immigration offenders have been caught following a UK Border Agency raid at a Dover restaurant.

Acting on information received officers from the agency went to the New Moonflower restaurant, High Street, Dover on 6 January.

After checking the immigration status of those on site, officers arrested four people who were in the UK illegally, two women from China aged 21 and 27, a 39-year-old man from China, and a 30-year-old man from Malaysia.

The 27-year-old woman and the Malaysian man had stayed in the UK after their visas had expired. The other two people had entered the UK illegally.

All four were arrested and are in immigration detention while the UK Border Agency takes steps to remove them from the UK.

Three of the four immigration offenders were caught working illegally and the New Moonflower restaurant now faces a potential fine of up to £30,000 - up to £10,000 per illegal worker - unless the employers provide evidence they carried out the correct pre-employment checks on them.

During the raid a fifth immigration offender was also encountered, a 23-year-old woman from China who had not left the country after her visa expired. She was placed on immigration bail and must report regularly to the UK Border Agency while arrangements are made to remove her from the UK.

Karyn Dunning, who heads the UK Border Agency's local immigration team for Kent said: "We are cracking down on immigration abuse and will continue to carry out regular raids.

"We urge members of the public to get in touch with us if they have information about suspected illegal immigrants or companies that are employing illegal workers.

"The message to any business that chooses to employ illegal labour is clear - the UK Border Agency will find you and take the strongest possible action."