Lake District raided by UKBA

Up to 18 people face deportation for working in the UK and could face deportation after officilas from the UK Border Agency targetted the Cumbrian Lake District on Tuesday night.

Three local businesses are now facing fines totalling £140,000 or £10,000 for each individual found to be working without a permit. The restaurants raided were the Emperor of India in Crag Brow, Bowness, the Spice Merchant on Main St, Grange and the Tagore on Compston Rd, Ambleside.

Of the 14 immigrants detained, five were from Bownes, five from Garnge and four from the Ambleside eatery. All of those apprehended were of Bangladeshi descent. Also on Tuesday evening, Sedbergh’s Taj Mahal was visited by the UKBA with an additional three Bangladeshi workers facing deportation. The UKBA conducted intial checks on all of those found in the raids and all were found to have no right to work legally in Britain, meaning a journey home is likely.

A Chinese woman was also arrested by officials following a raid on a residential home on Wednesday in Bowness. The woman is being held by local police ahead of another likely deportation.

The UKBA claimed it had been acting on public concerns and would move swiftly to secure local communities from illegal workers as they feel this not only exploits the vulnerable but impacts on British wages. The agency has said that as long as there is an illegal work market then illegal immigrants will continue to try to reach the UK. Preventing the illegal jobs in the first place has thus become a priority.

The UKBA has also encouraged the public to come forward with information on illegal immigration.