TWO people have been arrested following an immigration raid at a Billericay take-away.

Acting on intelligence, Immigration Enforcement officers carried out operations in Billericay on Thursday.

At about 7.45pm, officers visited The Raj, Holly Court, High Street.

Two Bangladeshi men, aged 27 and 31, were arrested as checks showed they had overstayed their visas. Both men are detained while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.

Officers visited a further business on High Street but no arrests were made

The Raj will be served a referral notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker found 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.

Richard Lederle, Immigration Enforcement assistant director, said: “My officers carry out vital work in tackling those who flout immigration laws – these include employers who do not carry out the required checks on staff and individuals who fail to return home when their leave has expired.

“Illegal working cheats the taxpayer, negatively affects the wages of lawful workers and allows rogue employers to undercut legitimate businesses.

“All of our operations are intelligence led and I would encourage people with detailed and specific information about illegal immigration to contact us.”

The visits were supported by officers from Essex Police, HM Revenue and Customs, and Essex County Council.

Ruham Marik, manager at The Raj, said he had not been at the restaurant at the time of the immigration checks.

He said one of the members of the staff had just been helping in the restaurant, not working, and the other had said he had a work permit and student visa.

For information about right-to-work visit gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties

Report concerns at gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org