Illegal worker found in Dursley
A team of immigration officers from the UK Border Agency, supported by police, raided Dursley Kebab and Pizza in Parsonage Street at 5.40pm on Wednesday.
A 32-year-old Turkish man, who was serving behind the counter, was found to be a failed asylum seeker.
Police officers also found a second failed asylum seeker – a 28-year-old Turkish man – hiding under a bed in a flat above the kebab house.
Both men had failed to leave the UK once their asylum claim was refused.
They were arrested and taken to Stroud Police Station. They will stay in immigration detention until their removal from the UK.
The takeaway owner was served with a Notice of Potential Liability and has 28 days to prove the correct checks were carried out, or he will face a fine of up to £10,000.
The shop manager has declined to comment.
PC Bob Brunsdon, a Gloucestershire police officer working with the UK Border Agency, said: “This was one of many intelligence-based operations targeting illegal working in Gloucestershire. The two men had failed to return to their home country after their claims for asylum had failed and had attempted to remain illegally in the UK. Hopefully this will send out a message to employers. While legal foreign workers are welcome in Gloucestershire, the employment of illegal workers, for whom no National Insurance contributions are paid and who do not benefit from the protection afforded to legal workers, will not be tolerated. Employers who flaunt the regulations, or harbour illegal immigrants, will face heavy penalties.”
The Government recently introduced an Australian-style points system, ensuring only those with the skills the UK needs are allowed to work. On-the-spot fines of up to £10,000 per illegal employee have been brought in.
Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact the UK Border Agency on 01275 841 500.
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