IMMIGRATION officers arrested two men following a series of raids in Hereford on Friday night.

A 32-year-old Bangladeshi man was arrested from Mowchak, in Commercial Road and a 36-year-old man also from Bangladesh was arrested from Sweet Chilli, in Bridge Street.

Both men had overstayed their visas and are being detained while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.

Both businesses have been served a referral notice warning them that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker found will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

Assistant Director Carol Scarr, head of the West Midlands Immigration Enforcement team, said: “My officers carry out vital work in tackling those who flout immigration laws – these include employers who do not carry out the required checks on staff and individuals who fail to return home when their leave has expired.

“Illegal working cheats the taxpayer, negatively affects the wages of lawful workers and allows rogue employers to undercut legitimate businesses.

“All of our operations are intelligence led and I would encourage people with detailed and specific information about illegal immigration to contact us.”

People with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.