TWO illegal immigrants were arrested following a UK Border Agency raid on an Appleby restaurant.

Police targeted the Jade Apple Restaurant on Bridge Street in the town on Tuesday December 2 arresting a Malaysian woman and a Malaysian man for being in the UK illegally with no permission to work.

The pair are now being detained while arrangements are made for their removal from the UK.

The restaurant’s owners will be issued with a civil penalty notice for employing illegal workers.

If they are unable to prove they conducted the correct pre-employment checks on staff they may be liable for a fine of up to £10,000 per worker.

Eddy Montgomery, Operations Director of the UK Border Agency in the North West, said: “This is the latest in a series of operations we’ve carried out to tackle immigration crime in Cumbria, and more are planned.

“Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work. Businesses which operate outside the law should be warned that they will be found and they will be punished.”

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