IMMIGRATION officers swooped in Crewe this week following a following a series of raids at restaurants across Cheshire.

Four offenders were caught in the enforcement operation, which was part of nationwide action by UK Border Agency officers to tackle illegal working, sham marriages and organised immigration crime.

Local restaurants Passage to India on Nantwich Road in Crewe and Indian Heaven on Crewe Road in Alsager, were targeted in the intelligence-led operation last week.

Specially trained officers questioned staff to ensure they had the right to work in the UK.

At Passage to India a 28-year-old Bangladeshi man was arrested and at Indian Heaven restaurant three Bangladeshi men aged 24, 27 and 29, were also apprehended.

The men were arrested for a variety of immigration offences including entering the country without leave and overstaying visas.

All men are now in immigration detention and steps are being taken to remove them from the UK.

Liz Weston, director of the Cheshire immigration team, said: “We are working closely with police and other corporate partners to disrupt and deter illegal working in Cheshire.

“We will continue to support those companies who seek to comply with the law but will crackdown on employers who don't play by the rules.”

The news follows a further arrest last month at The Spice Parlour restaurant in Nantwich, again in a Border Agency raid.

Officers targeted the restaurant on Oatmarket in the early evening, shortly after the restaurant opened for business.

After checking the immigration status of staff, a 33-year-old Bangladeshi man was found to have no right to work in the UK.

He was arrested on suspicion of entering the UK illegally and was detained for further questioning, while officers made arrangements for his removal from the country.

The Spice Parlour was issued with a warning that they could now be fined up to £10,000 for employing the worker, unless bosses can prove they carried out the correct right-to-work checks on their employee.

Immigration minister Damian Green said: “The Government has tasked the UK Border Agency with carrying out an intense period of enforcement activity over the summer.

“We are determined to make it harder than ever for illegal immigrants to come to the UK.

“Illegal immigration puts pressure on public services, local communities and legitimate businesses at a time when this country cannot afford it.

“That's why the UK Border Agency is working to cut out illegal employment, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised traffickers, being used by foreign nationals to try and stay in the UK illegally.”

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.