IMMIGRATION officers have arrested three members of staff at a popular Indian restaurant.

Acting on intelligence, officers visited Kuti’s Restaurant, on Fareham Road, just before 8pm last Thursday, the Home Office said today.

Staff were questioned to establish whether they had the right to live and work in the UK.

Three men were arrested; a 22-year-old allegedly working in breach of his visa conditions; a 27-year-old accused of overstaying his visa and a 36-year-old was accused of having entered the country illegally.

All three were transferred to immigration detention pending their removal from the UK.

The Daily Echo has contacted the management of Kuti's for a comment, but has not yet received any response.

The restaurant was served a notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker arrested 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.

If proof is not provided, this is a potential total of as much as £60,000.

Daily Echo:

Carla Johnson, head of the South Central Home Office Immigration Enforcement team, said: “The message to businesses in Hampshire using illegal labour is clear. Our dedicated, specialist teams will catch you and if the correct checks have not been carried out you will pay a heavy penalty.

“Illegal working cheats the taxpayer, undercuts honest employers and often exploits some of society’s most vulnerable people.

“We rely on information from the public and I would urge people to report suspected immigration abuse to us.”

Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found at gov.uk, which includes a new quick answer right-to-work tool to help employers check if someone has the right to work in the UK.

People with information about suspected immigration abuse can raise concerns via gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.