Four illegal immigrants found in Newport take-away

Four illegal immigrants have been caught working at a Chinese restaurant in Newport during a UK Border Agency raid.

Officers swooped on China Palace, in High Street, after sealing off all of the exits to stop the staff fleeing.

The raid was launched at 5.10pm last Wednesday.

Restaurant bosses now face a fine of up to £40,000 if they cannot prove they carried out the legal checks before employing the two men and two women.

No one was today available to comment at the restaurant.

UK Border Agency chiefs said they acted on intelligence and officers questioned staff and carried out checks on their immigration status. The illegal workers were all Chinese nationals.

One of the men had entered the UK illegally while the other three illegal workers had overstayed their visas but none had permission to work in the UK.

The two women, aged 19 and 26, were working as waitresses while the two men, aged 21 and 48, were preparing food in the kitchen area.

All four will be deported.

The business was issued with an on-the-spot penalty notice.

Emma Chatfield, from the UK Border Agency's West Mercia local immigration team, said: "We urge the public to get in touch with us if they have information about suspected immigration abuse."