TWO illegal immigrants have been arrested at a Dalton takeaway and Immigration Enforcement officers have closed the business.

Immigration Enforcement and police swooped at Dalton Spice, in Market Street, on Thursday night after acting on intelligence.

The Home Office confirmed that two Bangladeshi men, aged 38 and 25, who had overstayed their visit visas were found to be working illegally and were arrested.

Both men are in immigration detention while arrangements are made to remove them from the UK.

The owners could face huge fines of tens of thousands of pounds if appropriate checks were not carried out.

Immigration officers identified that the owners of Dalton Spice also operate two other businesses, Naaz in Queen Street, Ulverston and the Taste of India in Duke Street, Askam. Both of these restaurants are the subject of an Illegal Working Compliance Order issued by Manchester Magistrates’ Court on July 8, 2017, following immigration arrests during previous operations.

Because of this history of non-compliance, The Home Office said officers used powers under the Immigration Act 2016 to close Dalton Spice.

The Home Office said: "Under the Act, businesses with a history of employing illegal workers can be closed for up to 48 hours. During this time an application is made at a magistrates court for a compliance order.

"An application has now been in relation to Dalton Spice and a decision is awaited. Measures open to the court as part of a compliance order, which runs for up to two years, can include requirements that the business owner must check that their employees have the right to work, must permit entry by Immigration Officers to the premises to inspect for compliance, and must inform Immigration Enforcement in writing before opening any other business.

"In addition, Dalton Spice was served a notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 will be imposed unless it 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. If proof is not provided this is a potential total of £40,000.

Immigration Enforcement is an operational directorate within the Home Office responsible for enforcing immigration law. Where someone has no right to remain in the UK, the unit takes action to remove them.

The Home office provides information to help employers prevent illegal working at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties

It includes a quick answer right-to-work tool to help employers check if someone can work in the UK.

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