NINE men have been arrested during raids at two restaurants in Didcot, the Home Office has revealed.

Home Office Immigration Enforcement visited Indian Dream restaurant, in Wantage Road, and Sun Koshi Tandoor, in Broadway.

Officers spoke to staff to determine whether they had the right to remain and work in the UK.

Home Office Immigration Enforcement’s Paul Smith said: “Illegal working undercuts honest employers, defrauds the public purse and cheats legitimate job hunters out of employment opportunities.

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The Home Office said six Indian men aged, 25, 28, 29, 32, 37 and 47 were arrested at Indian Dream for various immigration offences.

It added that four men were being detained while steps were taken to remove them from the country.

Two other men were released while their cases are examined, but would continue to report to the Home Office.

The Home Office added that three Nepalese men aged 25, 33 and 49 were arrested at Sun Koshi Tandoor.

Two of the men were yesterday still being held, and one has been released while his case continues.

The raids began last Thursday at 6pm, but the Home Office did not release the information until yesterday.

The owners of the businesses could be given a £20,000 penalty for each illegal worker unless they can demonstrate that appropriate right to work document checks – such as seeing a passport or Home Office document – were carried out.

Mr Smith added: “We are happy to work with employers to explain the simple checks that need to be carried out to establish a person’s right to work in the UK.”