A SERIES of raids on Forest restaurants has caught three Bangla­deshis working illegally in the kitchens.

Acting on intelligence, officers from the UK Border Agency targeted three separate restaurants in Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney.

At MAA Tandoori in Gloucester Road, Coleford, they found a failed asylum seeker cooking in the kitchens who had stayed in the UK illegally after his claim for international protection was turned down.

At Chilli, Kings Buildings, Hill Street, Lydney, a Bangladeshi man was found employed in the kitchens despite having entered the UK illegally.

At Akash Tandoori in High Street, Cinderford, a third Bangladeshi man was found working illegally in the kitchen. He was also found to have entered the UK illegally.

All three offenders have been placed on immigration bail and must report weekly to a police station while the border agency secures emergency travel documents to remove them from the UK.

All three businesses were issued with a civil penalty notice for employing illegal workers. If they are unable to provide evidence that legally required checks were carried out before employing the workers – such as asking for a passport or Home Office documents – a fine of up to £10,000 per worker can be imposed.