‘Sadness, devastation and shock’ is how readers reacted after a five suspected illegal immigrants were arrested at a popular chip shop during a dramatic raid.
Black Country Live readers were left ‘speechless’ as Whiteheath Fish Bar in Oldbury Road, Rowley Regis, could be slapped with an eye-watering £100,000 fine after the Indian men were arrested by Immigration Enforcement officers on Friday, January 11.
The intelligence-led visit, which happened at around 5.30pm, was supported by officers from West Midlands Police .
Daniel Smith said: “Oh man, I am devastated about this. Been going there for years and it’s shocking to see that they have been working there – I wonder how long it has been going on?”
Mark James added: “I’m well sad about this – I hope the chips don’t change.”
Despite the shocking discovery, some took a light-hearted slant on the raid.
Laura Chidders said: “They were banging chips though!”
While another, Rich Taylor, joked: “Bet they have right chips on their shoulders now.”
Two of the men, aged 20 and 25, have been detained pending their removal from the UK.
A spokeswoman for the Home Officer – who conducted the raid – said the visit was conducted following a tipoff.
She said: “Acting on intelligence, immigration enforcement officers visited Whiteheath Fish Bar, Oldbury Road, Rowley Regis at approximately 5.40pm on Friday, January 11.
“Five Indian men, aged between 20 and 54, were found to have no right to work. Immigration checks revealed that three of them had entered the country illegally while two had overstayed their visas.
“Two of the men, aged 20 and 25, have been detained pending their removal from the UK. The others must report regularly to the Home Office while their cases are dealt with.”
The takeaway now faces being fined up to £20,000 for each illegal worker found, according to spokesperson for the Home Office. This is a potential total of up to £100,000 for Whiteheath Fish Bar.
The businesses will be liable for the penalty unless they 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.
Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found here . This includes a quick answer right-to-work tool to help employers check if someone has the right to work in the UK.
Dudley
People with information about suspected immigration abuse can click here or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
