Four alleged immigration offenders from Bangladesh have been arrested following an operation by Home Office Immigration Enforcement in Marlborough last night.

Officers visited the Raj Indian Restaurant on Kingsbury Street, Marlborough at 6pm yesterday and staff were questioned on their right to live and work in the UK.

Four men were found to be working illegally and have been transferred to immigration detention where they were being questioned further by immigration officers today.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Businesses in Wiltshire who employ illegal workers are defrauding the treasury of vital funds, undercutting employers who ply an honest trade and cheating legitimate job seekers out of employment opportunities.

“We are happy to work with those who want to play by the rules but employers who break the law will face the consequences.

“People with detailed and specific information about suspected immigration abuse should contact us.”

The business was served with a notice warning that a civil penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker arrested will be imposed, a potential penalty of up to £80,000, unless proof is provided that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out, such as seeing a Home Office document or passport.

Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties