FIVE Asian restaurant workers in Rettendon face deportation after being arrested for immigration offences.

During a raid shortly after 6pm on Wednesday January 15 at the Royal Tiger, in Old Southend Road, members of staff were found to be working illegally.

Home Office officials arrested four Nepalese men, aged 35, 29, 24 and 22, for being illegal immigants and a 36-year-old Bangladeshi man for breach of visa.

All of the workers have been taken to a detention centre and are set to be deported.

Owners of the restaurant which serves Indian and Thai cuisine could also be fined up to £10,000.

Chris Evans, from Home Office Immigration Enforcement, said: “Where we find people who are in the UK illegally we will seek to remove them.

“But we are also looking to target the employers who take on illegal workers and encourage illegal immigration in the process.

“We are happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be done on staff, but as the history of this premises shows, those who choose to break the law will face heavy financial penalties.”

It is the third time the restaurant has been involved with immigration offences.

In 2008 a fine of £50,000 was given after 12 offenders were found to be working there while another two were found in a 2011 raid, with the owners receiving a £10,000 fine.

Anyone with information about immigration breaches are urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.