FOUR men were arrested after a restaurant raid by the Home Office in Evesham.

Casa in Vine Street, Evesham is facing a potential fine of up to £80,000 after an operation by Immigration Enforcement.

The four men arrested were all Albanian nationals, three aged 27 and one aged 25, who had entered the UK illegally.

Three men were detained pending removal from the country and a fourth man was detained whilst his immigration case is considered.

The intelligence-led visit took place at about 2.30pm on Friday January 19.

Following checks carried out by immigration officers, four men were found to have no right to live or work in the UK and arrested.

Casa Restaurant was served a civil penalty referral notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker found will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

This is a potential total of up to £80,000.

Assistant director Carol Scarr, head of the West Midlands Immigration Enforcement team, said: “This was a professional operation by my immigration officers, supported by officers from West Mercia police.

"The team reacted quickly when two men attempted to run off soon after officers entered the premises, ensuring they were quickly caught and detained.

“My specialist officers work across the West Midlands and are always ready to act where it is suspected that immigration laws are being abused. "Illegal working undercuts honest employers, cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment opportunities and defrauds the public purse.

“I urge anyone with specific and detailed information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch.”

Casa la cucina Italiana opened in Evesham in 2015, when a group of four friends started the restaurant.

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

People with information about suspected immigration abuse, contact https://www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.