Illegal workers arrested in Welshpool and Llanidloes

Four illegal workers have been arrested after immigration raids on two Mid Wales businesses.

Two men were arrested in a raid at Spice UK in Berriew Street, Welshpool, while a further two were arrested in a raid at the Bengal Brasserie in Longbridge Street, Llanidloes, on Wednesday night.

All four men have been placed on immigration bail pending deportation, a spokesman for the UK Border Agency said today. He added that both businesses could now face civil financial penalties for employing the men illegally.

No-one from Spice UK or the Bengal Brasserie wanted to comment today.

The UK Border Agency spokesman said: "I can confirm that UK Border Agency officials raided two restaurants in Mid Wales on Wednesday night. Officers first went to the Spice UK restaurant in Welshpool and found two men working illegally and they were taken for questioning.

"We then went to the Bengal Brasserie in Llanidloes, where a further two men were found working illegally and were taken for questioning. All four men have now been placed on immigration bail."

He added: "Often when we arrest individuals they either don't have passports or they hide them so it is hard to deport them instantly. Therefore they are placed on immigration bail, which is similar to police bail, while their passports are sorted out and they can then be returned home."