Seven immigration offenders have been detained following a raid on a Stanway restaurant.

Acting on intelligence Immigration Enforcement officers visited Tandoori Villa, in Villa Road, at around 5.15pm on Friday.

As they entered the premises two men ran from the back doors of the building.

They were stopped by officers covering the rear of the restaurant and immigration checks subsequently revealed the men, aged 29 and 27, had both overstayed student visas.

The remaining staff were also questioned to establish whether they had the right to live and work in the UK.

Two other men were also found to have overstayed their visas. A 29-year-old had overstayed his student visa and a 23-year-old had overstayed his visit visa.

All four men have been detained pending their removal from the UK.

Of the four remaining members of staff, three were found to have outstanding immigration applications which did not entitle them to work in the UK. The 45-year-old, 38-year-old and 35-year-old were all escorted from the premises and reminded they were restricted from working.

The business now faces a financial penalty of up to £140,000 – up to £20,000 per illegal worker – unless it can demonstrate appropriate right to work document checks were carried out.

Ed O’Dowd, an officer from Immigration Enforcement, said: “Of the eight members of staff at the business, seven had no right to work in the UK.

“It is 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.”