Illegal workers held after takeaway swoop

FOUR Chinese illegal workers have been arrested after they were found employed at a Lothian takeaway whose owners now face a £40,000 fine.

The Taste of China takeaway on Greendykes Road in Broxburn, West Lothian, was closed following the raid as no staff were left to run it.

The operation was part of a planned nationwide action by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to tackle illegal working, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised immigration crime. Acting on intelligence, officers from the UKBA targeted the takeaway at around 5pm on Monday.

After the immigration status of all staff was checked, three Chinese men and one Chinese woman were found working illegally in the takeaway. The Taste of China was served with a civil penalty notice.

If the employer is unable to provide evidence that legally-required checks were carried out before giving the jobs - such as asking for a passport or a Home Office document - a fine of up to 40,000 will be imposed.

Immigration Minister Damian Green 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."