A RESTAURANT which was raided by UK Border Agency officers was found to have four illegal workers.

Acting on intelligence, the team targeted Akash in Sinclair Street, Helensburgh last Friday.

The agency said that after the immigration status of staff was checked, four Bangladeshi men were found working illegally, having overstayed their visas.

All four are being held pending their removal from the UK.

Adam Scarcliffe, Assistant Director of the UK Border Agency in Scotland said: "Foreign nationals who are in this country illegally will be found, arrested and removed from the UK.

"Employing illegal workers undercuts honest businesses and defrauds the public purse.

"There is no excuse for using illegal labour, and if businesses ignore our immigration laws, they face heavy fines."

The firm will be served with a civil penalty notice for employing the illegal workers.

If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally required checks were carried out before giving the workers a job – such as asking for a passport or a Home Office document – a fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker will be imposed.

Every year the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on thousands of firms which have failed to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

The agency says employers unsure of the steps to take to avoid employing illegal workers should call 0300 123 4699 or visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ business-sponsor/ preventing-illegal-working

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can report this at www.ukba.homeoffice. gov.uk/aboutus/contact/report-crime/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.