A Takeley takeaway could face a fine of £20,000 after two illegal workers were found on the premise.

During a Home Office Immigration Enforcement operation at the Red Chilli, in Dunmow Road, yesterday (Thursday) evening checks revealed that the two members of staff were immigration offenders from Bangladesh.

One of the men, aged 24, was working in breach of his visa conditions, and the other, aged 29, had overstayed his visa.

The 24-year-old has been detained and the 29-year-old released on immigration bail while work to remove them from the UK is undertaken.

The Red Chilli now faces a potential penalty of up to £10,000 for each of the illegal workers - £20,000 in total - unless the owner can demonstrate that appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Phil Hallwood, from Home Office Immigration Enforcement, said: “If we have information to suggest a company is employing illegal workers we will take action.

“We are happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be done on staff, but make no apology for penalising those who choose to break the law.

“I would urge anyone with specific and detailed information about suspected illegal working to get in touch. Where we find people who are in the UK illegally we will seek to remove them.”

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit gov.uk/check-an-employees-right-to-work-documents or they can call the Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For more information and contact details for Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams visit gov.uk/government/publications/contact-details-for-immigration-compliance-and-enforcement-teams