SEVEN illegal workers have been arrested after an immigration raid at an Indian restaurant in Stanway.

The Bangladeshi workers were discovered at Tandoori Villa on Villa Road, when immigration officers acting on intelligence visited the premises.

During the raid on Friday, February 5, two of the men tried to flee through the back doors of the building, but were stopped by officers.

Checks revealed both men, aged 27 and 29, had overstayed their student visa.

Another 29-year-old man was also found to have overstayed his student visa, and a 23-year-old had overstayed a visit visa.

All four men have since been detained and will be deported from the UK.

The remaining staff were also questioned to establish their right to live and work in the country.

Of the remaining four, three were found to have outstanding immigration applications and should not have been working.

The 45-year-old, 38-year-old and 35-year-old were all escorted from the restaurant and reminded they were restricted from working.

Restaurant bosses now face up to £140,000 in penalties, of up to £20,000 per illegal worker, unless they have proof of their right to work.

Officer Ed O’Dowd of Immigration Enforcement, said: “It’s easy for businesses to carry out employment checks and those with appropriate records have nothing to fear from Immigration Enforcement.

“However, those who either knowingly employ immigration offenders or who have a lax attitude towards the legally required checks should expect a visit.

“All of our operations are intelligence-led.

“Detailed and specific information about suspected immigration offences helps us do our job as effectively as possible and I would urge anyone with information about illegal working to get in touch.” Anyone with information about illegal workers are asked to report them to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55511 or gov.uk/report-immigration-crime The Gazette contacted the Tandoori Villa but the manager was not available.