Four detained as takeaways raided for illegal staff

They were held when Home Office immigration officers visited the China Garden takeaway on Foyle Street, in Londonderry on Thursday, and China’s Finest on Windmill Street, Ballynahinch, one week earlier.

In the most recent raid on Thursday, a 46-year-old Chinese woman, a 30-year-old Chinese man and a 29-year-old Malaysian man – all found working in the kitchen – were arrested when checks revealed they were in the country illegally.

In the earlier raid, on Thursday May 12, a 47-year-old Chinese woman was arrested when it was found she was in the country illegally.

All four people have been transferred to immigration detention while steps are taken to remove them from the country.

The takeaways in question are at risk of being fined up to £20,000 per worker unless they can show that right-to-work document checks had been carried out properly.