Illegal worker arrested in Lampeter

12 Apr 2012 | Posted by Carl Thomas

A worker has been arrested for undertaking employment without the required UK work permit or visa.

The Bangladeshi man was discovered during a raid by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers in Lampeter on the Shapla Tandoori restaurant. He attempted to flee the restaurant during the raid but was caught on the street, arrested and taken to Aberystwyth police station.

The man was later transferred to immigration detention pending his removal from the UK. His employer, meanwhile, is looking at a fine of up to £10,000 unless it is able to prove that it conducted the required pre-employment checks on the illegal worker. Such checks can be as simple as asking to see a passport or a Home Office document to prove the validity of the worker's UK work permit or visa.

The business has already been handed a penalty notice for employing an illegal worker.

Andrew Hogan, inspector at the UKBA, commented: "Employers who take on foreign nationals without permission to work in the UK are breaking the law. We carry out regular raids targeting illegal workers and more are planned."

Following the arrest, the man's home address in Lampeter was searched and £3,000 cash was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.