FIVE men working illegally were found by immigration officers after raids on a pizza takeaway chain.

Acting on intelligence, officers visited Yummie Pizza takeaways in Brighton, Hove, Eastbourne and Peacehaven, simultaneously at 4.40pm on Tuesday March 28. 

The four Yummie Pizza takeaways could now face fines totalling £100,000, unless employers can demonstrate the appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out.   

At the branch in Islingword Road, Brighton, a 33-year-old Turkish man was found to be a failed asylum seeker and was arrested and detained while steps are taken to deport him.

At the takeaway in Church Road, Hove, a 33-year-old Morrocan man, was arrested after overstaying his visa. He is being detained while steps are taken to remove him from the UK.

At the branch in Eastbourne in Cavendish Place, a 35-year-old Indian man was found to be a failed asylum seeker. He was escorted from the premises and must report regularly to Immigration Enforcement while his case is dealt with. 

At the takeaway in South Coast Road, Peacehaven, a 30-year-old Moroccan man and a 32-year-old Pakistani man were both found to be failed asylum seekers and must report regularly to Immigration Enforcement while their cases are dealt with.  

Assistant Director Richard Lederle, head of the South East Immigration Enforcement team, said: "Those who use and exploit illegal workers face severe financial penalties.

“We are happy to work with businesses in Sussex to ensure the right pre-employment checks are carried out, but those intent on operating outside the law will be found and will be punished.

“Using illegal labour is not victimless. It cheats the taxpayer, undercuts honest businesses and cheats legitimate job seekers of employment opportunities.

“All of our operations are intelligence led and I would encourage people with detailed and specific information about illegal immigration to contact us.”

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

Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties