Four men have been arrested and two businesses are facing significant fines after illegal workers were found following a UK immigration raid in Crawley town centre.
In an operation led by intelligence, UK Immigration Enforcement officers conducted a raid on Taj the Grocer on Haslett Avenue and ZamZam of Broadfield Barton.
Each of the businesses raided were served a referral notice warning that each of the illegal workers found could result in a financial penalty of up to £20,000.
The businesses were also told that they could only avoid these penalties if they successfully demonstrated that they had carried out appropriate right-to-work document checks ahead of their employment. This could including seeing a passport or being provided with a Home Office document that proves permission to work in the UK.
If they fail to provide proof, Taj the Grocers could be forced to pay up to £60,000, while ZamZam could be fined £20,000 for a single illegal worker.
Commenting on the raid, Assistant Director Richard Lederle, head of the South East Immigration Enforcement Team, said: “We are happy to work with businesses to ensure the right pre-employment checks are carried out, but those intent on operating outside the law will be found and will be punished.”