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Restaurant owner "shocked" by immigration raid in Flackwell Heath


A BANGLADESHI restaurant owner arrived at work expecting a normal Friday night but was “shocked” to find four of his staff were missing after a raid by immigration officials.

Six men were arrested at Radhuni in Flackwell Heath on February 12. Four have since been bailed but one man has been deported by the UK Border Agency, while another remains in custody 'pending removal'.

Akthoraz Miah, the owner of the restaurant on Straight Bit, managed to keep it open that evening after making some urgent calls to get extra staff in.

The 39-year-old told the Bucks Free Press: “They [the immigration officials] could have at least given me some warning about it - this has come as a big shock to me.

“They suddenly turned up and I didn't know anything about it. I was out during the day and only found out when I got to the restaurant in the evening. “I've got some of the guys back but I've had to hire two new staff members.”

Mr Miah, who took over the restaurant six years ago, is keen that villagers know it is still open.

He said: “A lot of customers have come in and said they thought we had closed down but we are still open for business.”

The restaurant has been served with notice of potential liability for employing people who had no right to work.

It could face a fine of up to £70,000 unless it can prove the correct right-to-work checks have been carried out on their employees.

Mr Miah said many of his staff are students, whose visas can become invalid if their college is closed down. He said it is 'not his problem' if a college had been shut down. He said he had heard of one closing in London recently.

The Bucks Free Press spoke to a 29-year-old man who said he was one of the men arrested and bailed.

He said he had a visa to work in Britain and added: “It was very scary and I was totally shocked. I haven't got a clue what's going to happen now – they've asked me to go back [to the station] on February 23.

Five men were also arrested at the Blowplast factory in Hillbottom Road, High Wycombe, on February 11 and have since been bailed.

Officers from the UK Border Agency swooped following intelligence suggesting a number of people were working there illegally.

Alex Legg, chief immigration officer for the Agency, said two of those arrested were from India and the other three were from Sri Lanka. They range in age from 26 to 53.



Your Say YourBucks

sidthesexist, High Wycombe says...
11:08am Sun 21 Feb 10

LMAO he actually wanted them to warn him of the raid? as if there would be any illegals there when they turned up if they had done so. Hopefully this man get a nice large fine/prison sentence as well as having his own immigration status being given a very thorough going over.

Seasence1, High Wycombe says...
11:09am Sun 21 Feb 10

This bit makes me laugh... "
The 39-year-old told the Bucks Free Press: “They could have at least given me some warning about it" lol
If he WAS doing somthing wrong do you think the ilegal workers would still be there when they turned up ??
As an employer he must have a copy of there passports and right to work permits. no excuses.

Malc London, Gerrards Cross says...
12:06pm Sun 21 Feb 10

I'd like to know if these "students" are qualified to work in a food environment?

If the workers were illegal and the Restaurant did not take adequate steps to check, then I hope they face the maximum punishment. This is the only way to beat unlawful workers.

Spyke, F/H says...
12:13pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Or it could just be an honest mistake? Are the BFP readers really that racist and quick to judge?

At least these people are out looking for jobs - that's more than can be said for a big percentage of worthless layabout scroungers in this area.

MC=2, says...
12:15pm Sun 21 Feb 10

hes shocked by the raid but not that he has employed illegals, not good enough!

Seasence1, High Wycombe says...
12:27pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Spyke wrote:
Or it could just be an honest mistake? Are the BFP readers really that racist and quick to judge? At least these people are out looking for jobs - that's more than can be said for a big percentage of worthless layabout scroungers in this area.
its nothing to do with th racism !!, what if he was employing under age workers ?? or he was payin them less than min wage, most of theses workers are being exploited. as for worthless lay about scum bags i could not agree with you more.

J B Blackett, High Wycombe says...
12:35pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Spyke wrote:
Or it could just be an honest mistake? Are the BFP readers really that racist and quick to judge?

At least these people are out looking for jobs - that's more than can be said for a big percentage of worthless layabout scroungers in this area.
Come on Spyke - Name these worthless scroungers you know or report them to the DWP ! It's your legal duty !
.
Workers - Legal or Illegal - are exploited the world over by unscrupulous nasty people.
.
Whoever these people are or where they are from (and we don't know yet) have been gratuitously used by other people and not for worker benefit either.
.
This is the story of the ordinary working man the world over. Threatened and oppressed by governments and regimes , mistreated and underpaid by some allegedly crafty and greedy employers , exploited and robbed by middle men and sometimes abused by some of their peers or others.
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This is the working man's (and woman's) lot throughout history - and it continues to this day.
.
We need a new popular revolution - And I don't mean a left or right wing one either. A Curse on ALL political parties.
.
Regards

Slacker, Flackwell says...
12:37pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Yes hello this is UK Border Force here. We want to come and raid your business as we think you are employing illegal immigrants. Would sometime next week be okay? How about we come along next Friday afternoon, you will make sure all your staff are there won't you?

demoness, Hades says...
12:38pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Spyke wrote:
Or it could just be an honest mistake? Are the BFP readers really that racist and quick to judge? At least these people are out looking for jobs - that's more than can be said for a big percentage of worthless layabout scroungers in this area.
Can you name the percentage? Do you have evidence, facts figures?

Milford12, High Wycombe says...
1:43pm Sun 21 Feb 10

YEAH RIGHT!!! LIKE HE DIDNT KNOW! PULL THE OTHER ONE

catherine_johnson, Wycombe says...
2:23pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Spyke wrote:
Or it could just be an honest mistake? Are the BFP readers really that racist and quick to judge?

At least these people are out looking for jobs - that's more than can be said for a big percentage of worthless layabout scroungers in this area.
If you had any idea how many hoops you have to jump through to employ someone LEGALLY from outside the EU, you'd know that it's almost impossible to make an 'honest mistake' when employing a non EU citizen. But, obviously, from your comment you have absolutely no idea what's involved.

Techno2, Walthamstow says...
4:11pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Slacker wrote:
Yes hello this is UK Border Force here. We want to come and raid your business as we think you are employing illegal immigrants. Would sometime next week be okay? How about we come along next Friday afternoon, you will make sure all your staff are there won't you?
How do you know this isn't the kind of thing that goes on? There are opportunities for corruption here. Ever wonder why so few illegal immigrants get caught and removed despite the massive amounts of money that the taxpayers have spent on the Home Office and the Border Agency over the years?

homer13, High Wycombe says...
5:17pm Sun 21 Feb 10

This bloke is a totall idiot. Firstly he employs illegal workers and then has the cheek to say that UK border team should have let him know it was going to happen. Dont be a an absolute d%*k. You are moaning because you got caught and now face to loose a lot of money. Serves you right. Why are the BFP reporting on this when it is obvious the bloke is after some free publicity.

Doom, high wycombe says...
5:34pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Never liked the place, was really up itself, now we find that the owner was not only ripping off us curry lovers, but ripping his employees off too. Do feel sorry for the staff though, at the end of the day they were only trying to earn an honest crust, dont think people should go at them, but the geedy s*d that was "employing" them, a nats off slave labour i would say.

Punchy, Wycombe says...
5:46pm Sun 21 Feb 10

his head's on upside down too.

Red Fred, Bucks says...
6:12pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Ate there once, and that was enough. Food wasn't up to much, the service was terrible and I felt at the price it was a bit of a rip off.

Now we know the true character of the people in charge, I'm happy to say I'll never, ever set foot in the place again.

emmse, flackwell heath says...
9:11pm Sun 21 Feb 10

What also gets me is the amount of these "colleges" tend to shut down,they are all scams,and there maybe some people that want to sit on their backsides but there are even more people out there that want to WORK but are unable to,as people are working here and sending their money back to their own country??!!!!?!?!?!!

deecee01, high wycombe says...
9:20pm Sun 21 Feb 10

emmse wrote:
What also gets me is the amount of these "colleges" tend to shut down,they are all scams,and there maybe some people that want to sit on their backsides but there are even more people out there that want to WORK but are unable to,as people are working here and sending their money back to their own country??!!!!?!?!?!!
There may be people around here who want to work, but there are loads of people quite happy to saunter along Oxford Road to the dole office and pick up their spends, many of them park on double yellow lines outside the office, because they can't be bothered to park in the car parks and give their lazy fat backsides a bit of exercise by walking round to the dole office ... waiting on the do-gooder responses now!

Take The Beating, says...
9:27pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Why is the BFP putting this moron's views to print, what happened to editorial checks and balances?

deecee01, high wycombe says...
10:48pm Sun 21 Feb 10

Take The Beating wrote:
Why is the BFP putting this moron's views to print, what happened to editorial checks and balances?
Because we can all post our own opinions thank you very much, regardless of whether you agree with it, off your high horse now please. Perhaps it has hit a raw nerve with you as you may be one of them ha ha.

towncryer, HIgh Wycombe town says...
1:02am Mon 22 Feb 10

deecee01 wrote:
emmse wrote: What also gets me is the amount of these "colleges" tend to shut down,they are all scams,and there maybe some people that want to sit on their backsides but there are even more people out there that want to WORK but are unable to,as people are working here and sending their money back to their own country??!!!!?!?!?!!
There may be people around here who want to work, but there are loads of people quite happy to saunter along Oxford Road to the dole office and pick up their spends, many of them park on double yellow lines outside the office, because they can't be bothered to park in the car parks and give their lazy fat backsides a bit of exercise by walking round to the dole office ... waiting on the do-gooder responses now!
A frend is one of the unemployed--looking for secretarial/PA/admin work since last May- wants work but none available locally and Jobcentre aint got any on books !!
She would willingly work if it was available!! Sends off over 8 applications every week to be told over 100 are chasing every Job
So is she a scrounger -- i dont think so !!!

ConcernedofLoughton, Epping Forest says...
6:40am Mon 22 Feb 10

The owner really does make himself look very silly with some of the comments. Employee checks are the employers responsibility, so desipite his throwaway comments it is his problem. The bit about getting some warning is just ignorant.

Elmo, High Wycombe says...
7:40am Mon 22 Feb 10

“I've got some of the guys back but I've had to hire two new staff members.”

...raid 'im again!

demoness, Hades says...
9:30am Mon 22 Feb 10

deecee01 wrote:
emmse wrote: What also gets me is the amount of these "colleges" tend to shut down,they are all scams,and there maybe some people that want to sit on their backsides but there are even more people out there that want to WORK but are unable to,as people are working here and sending their money back to their own country??!!!!?!?!?!!
There may be people around here who want to work, but there are loads of people quite happy to saunter along Oxford Road to the dole office and pick up their spends, many of them park on double yellow lines outside the office, because they can't be bothered to park in the car parks and give their lazy fat backsides a bit of exercise by walking round to the dole office ... waiting on the do-gooder responses now!
So have you done a survey? Is this how you know?
I am surprised at you Deecee - have you really got nothing better to do than sit outside the Job Centre counting people in and out. ;)

emmse, flackwell heath says...
11:42am Mon 22 Feb 10

deecee01 wrote:
emmse wrote: What also gets me is the amount of these "colleges" tend to shut down,they are all scams,and there maybe some people that want to sit on their backsides but there are even more people out there that want to WORK but are unable to,as people are working here and sending their money back to their own country??!!!!?!?!?!!
There may be people around here who want to work, but there are loads of people quite happy to saunter along Oxford Road to the dole office and pick up their spends, many of them park on double yellow lines outside the office, because they can't be bothered to park in the car parks and give their lazy fat backsides a bit of exercise by walking round to the dole office ... waiting on the do-gooder responses now!
You are obviously in a negative mood!!!!! Start looking at the people that want to work,not those that are lining up outside the dole-office,and anyway how do you know that they are happy to be there???Also they might not have time to park in carparks,they might need to rush off to interviews??!

678, Marlow says...
12:02pm Mon 22 Feb 10

please don't eat in this place and give this crook and more of your money! I hope inland revenue look into him as well to, as since they were illigal he can't have been paying and taxes on the workers either! as they don't have national insurance numbers

deecee01, high wycombe says...
1:39pm Mon 22 Feb 10

emmse wrote:
deecee01 wrote:
emmse wrote: What also gets me is the amount of these "colleges" tend to shut down,they are all scams,and there maybe some people that want to sit on their backsides but there are even more people out there that want to WORK but are unable to,as people are working here and sending their money back to their own country??!!!!?!?!?!!
There may be people around here who want to work, but there are loads of people quite happy to saunter along Oxford Road to the dole office and pick up their spends, many of them park on double yellow lines outside the office, because they can't be bothered to park in the car parks and give their lazy fat backsides a bit of exercise by walking round to the dole office ... waiting on the do-gooder responses now!
You are obviously in a negative mood!!!!! Start looking at the people that want to work,not those that are lining up outside the dole-office,and anyway how do you know that they are happy to be there???Also they might not have time to park in carparks,they might need to rush off to interviews??!
Still doesn't make it right that they get 'free parking'.
Get out of bed earlier and then they will have time to grab their money before going for their interviews.

deecee01, high wycombe says...
1:49pm Mon 22 Feb 10

towncryer wrote:
deecee01 wrote:
emmse wrote: What also gets me is the amount of these "colleges" tend to shut down,they are all scams,and there maybe some people that want to sit on their backsides but there are even more people out there that want to WORK but are unable to,as people are working here and sending their money back to their own country??!!!!?!?!?!!
There may be people around here who want to work, but there are loads of people quite happy to saunter along Oxford Road to the dole office and pick up their spends, many of them park on double yellow lines outside the office, because they can't be bothered to park in the car parks and give their lazy fat backsides a bit of exercise by walking round to the dole office ... waiting on the do-gooder responses now!
A frend is one of the unemployed--looking for secretarial/PA/admin work since last May- wants work but none available locally and Jobcentre aint got any on books !!
She would willingly work if it was available!! Sends off over 8 applications every week to be told over 100 are chasing every Job
So is she a scrounger -- i dont think so !!!
At no point in my post did I say that every unemployed person is a scrounger, did I , slow down the reading a bit and you will see that.

Of course there are plenty of people desperately trying to find a job, we all know that, but we also all know that there are scroungers who will freely admit they have no intention of working and are better off on the dole, face facts, scroungers exist whether do-gooders like it or not.

J B Blackett, High Wycombe says...
1:56pm Mon 22 Feb 10

demoness, Hades wrote:
I am surprised at you Deecee - have you really got nothing better to do than sit outside the Job Centre counting people in and out. ;)
__________
I've done that , demoness , in a few idle moments.
.
Let me tell you sometimes the number going in , does not match the numbers coming out. That puzzled me (there is a back door but only used by DWP staff)
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The I realised it was the 'older' ones who didn't re-appear.
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There's something weird (social or demographic engineering ) going on in that mis-positioned , looming , forbidding place. It could be a dreaded Soylent Green trial project operating right under our noses.
.
It would solve the employment and over-population problems simultaneously in this area.
.
Makes you think , doesn't it ? Regards

ConcernedofLoughton, Epping Forest says...
2:26pm Mon 22 Feb 10

There are an awful lot that limp into the job centre and then walk out fine, thats for sure. I watched it first hand a few years back, thoroughly depressing.

John Ley, High Wycombe says...
6:45pm Mon 22 Feb 10

Businesses should only employ people who can provide a National Insurance number that has either come from the government or another business. No National Insurance number No Work!

J B Blackett, High Wycombe says...
7:30pm Mon 22 Feb 10

John Ley wrote:
Businesses should only employ people who can provide a National Insurance number that has either come from the government or another business. No National Insurance number No Work!
Is that why the number of NI numbers issued by the government exceeds the Office of National Statistics number of actual workers in the UK by nearly 3.5 million ? Funny old thing , maths and numbers and all that.
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What's it all mean ? Is somebody being encouraged or advised to circumvent 'the system' ? Surely not ! Our wonderful politicians eh ? Can't live with 'em , can't live without out 'em.
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I'd like to give the latter a go , mind you.

Comments are closed on this article.

Akthoraz Miah Akthoraz Miah

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