A WORCESTER takeaway has been fined £25,000 for employing illegal workers.

News of the fine comes as the takeaway cancels its popular 40 per cent off deal.

As previously reported, immigration officers from the UK Border Agency carried out an intelligence-led raid at China City, Sidbury, on Tuesday, February 8.

Customers were turned away during the raid as kitchen and front counter staff were quizzed.

After checking the workers’ immigration status, seven men and one women – all Chinese nationals – were identified as working illegally.

Two men were taken to an immigration detention centre and the other six illegal workers were temporarily released on immigration bail.

Two men have already been deported back to China. Five men and a woman remain on immigration bail.

A civil penalty of up to £10,000 per illegal worker could have been imposed on the owners of China City if they could not prove all the necessary checks were undertaken before employing the workers.

A fine of £25,000 was handed out this week.

Tuesday evenings are particularly popular at the takeaway as all food has 40 per cent off. Last week customers were told that the offer was being stopped due to “staff shortages”.

It was the second time immigration officials had raided the takeaway.

In March last year, two illegal workers were discovered and the owners received a fine for each one.

Alison Spowage, UK Border Agency assistant director, said: “As this case shows, we will take tough action against those companies that employ illegal workers and fail to carry out proper checks on passports and other identity documents.

“Any business that takes on a foreign national without permission to work is breaking the law and undermining law-abiding employers. Rogue businesses should be warned that they face heavy fines and could end up in jail.

“We would urge the public to get in touch with us if they have information about suspected immigration abuse.”

No one from China City was available to comment.

To report suspicious activity call 0800 555111.