BORDER force officials found five immigration offenders when they raided a Benfleet restaurant and two men have already been deported.

Immigration enforcement officers carried out checks at Benfleet Tandoori, in the High Street, after they had received calls from concerned members of the public about the status of some of the workers.

When the checks were carried out, officers discovered five Bangladeshi men - two of whom had entered the UK illegally and three with outstanding immigration status issues.

The two Bangladeshi men, aged 30 and 31, who were in the UK illegally, were detained and later removed from the country.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: “Acting on intelligence, immigration enforcement officers visited Benfleet Tandoori, in High Street, Benfleet, last Thursday at about 7.20pm.

“Two Bangladeshi men, aged 30 and 31 were arrested as they were found to have entered the UK illegally.

“Three further Bangladeshi man, aged 30, 47 and 49, were encountered and found to have outstanding immigration cases which did not entitle them to work in the UK.

“The men were escorted from the premises and must report regularly to Immigration Enforcement while their cases are progressed.”

Wendy Goodwin, councillor for Castle Point’s Boyce ward, which covers Benfleet, said: “It is a sad state of affairs when they have got to that point and are trying to work in the UK.

“It is a difficult one, because they are taking jobs away from people but some times British people don’t want the jobs.

“But the people certainly shouldn’t be here illegally and the business shouldn’t be employing people who are here illegally.

“The restaurant always seems very popular and a lot of people book there to raise money for charity.”

Contact the Home Office if you think someone is living or working in the UK illegally, or is employing someone who isn’t allowed to work in the UK.

If you have any information then you are asked to call the immigration enforcement hotline on 0300 123 7000 or independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.