The Home Office made a number of arrests after four illegal workers were found employed in restaurants in Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton.

Four illegal workers have been found employed at restaurants in Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton following raids by the UK Border Agency.

Acting on intelligence received, officers went to Tandoori Nights, The Strand, Exmouth, at 1.30pm on February 23.

After the immigration status of staff was checked, three Bangladeshi men – aged 36, 39 and 49 - were found to have no legal right to work in the UK, a spokesman for the Home Office said.

Officers then went to Taj Mahal, on Budleigh Salterton’s High Street, where a 30-year-old Bangladeshi man was also found to be working illegally, said the spokesman.

Three of the illegal workers were arrested and taken to Heavitree Road Police Station, Exeter. Steps were being taken to remove them from the UK.

The 36-year-old was released on immigration bail and must report weekly to a police station while arrangements for his deportation were made.

Both the Taj Mahal and Tandoori Nights restuarants were issued with a penalty notice for allegedly employing illegal workers and may both face a fine of up to �10,000 per offender.

To avoid a fine, employers must prove to the UK Border Agency that the correct pre-employment checks were carried out.

Kenny Chapman, who heads the UK Border Agency’s local immigration team for Devon and Cornwall, said: “We carry out operations like this week in, week out across Devon.

“We are sending a simple, clear message to people flouting the law – more raids are planned and you will be caught.

“By law, employers must check that their staff have the right to work in the UK and we are happy to provide help for people who want to play by the rules.”

Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on thousands of companies, which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/advice-for-employers or they can call the UK Border Agency’s Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.