Two Peterborough takeaways under investigation after raids by immigration officers

Two Peterborough takeaways are under investigation after raids by immigration officers.

The Immigration Enforcement Team worked with Cambridgeshire Police and Peterborough City Council on the operation last week, visiting seven different restaurants or takeaways in the city centre, Oundle Road and Lincoln Road.

Immigration Enforcement Officers arrested one individual at Ali’s Kebab House, Fitzwilliam Street and arrested two individuals at New Golden Restaurant, Lincoln Road.

If the investigation finds those arrested were employed without the right to work, the business owners face a fine of up to £20,000 each.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The government is tackling illegal immigration and the harm it causes by removing those with no right to be in the UK. We continue to work with law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal migration in all its forms.”

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “The purpose of the visits were to check everyone was adhering to their licence conditions, that everyone was working legally and to disrupt any potential criminality.”

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: “An officer from our Licensing team, along with officers from Cambridgeshire Police and Immigration Enforcement visited seven restaurants and take-aways in Peterborough, to check that the businesses were adhering to licensing conditions.

“Of the businesses visited, our officer spoke to one owner about a minor variation to enhance current conditions and arranged re-visit with another owner to ensure licence conditions are being complied with. Two other re-visits were arranged in order to collate required paperwork.”