TWO suspected illegal immigrants have been arrested following a raid on an Italian restaurant.

Officers from the UK Border Agency targeted Joe Rigatoni’s, in Middlesbrough, shortly after 6.30pm on Tuesday as part of a nationwide summer-clampdown on illegal workers.

The raid came after the agency said the restaurant’s management had failed to co-operate with the authorities after being visited on three previous occasions following tip-offs.

The men, aged 19 and 23, both believed to be Albanian, were arrested for suspected illegal entry into the UK. Both have been detained for questioning, while the agency makes arrangements for their planned removal from the UK.

The owner of restaurant, in Linthorpe Road, has been warned he could be fined up to £20,000 for hiring the men unless he can prove he carried out the correct rightto- work checks on his employees.

Immigration Minister Damian Green said: “The Government has tasked the UK Border Agency with carrying out an intense period of enforcement activity over the summer.

“We are determined to create a hostile environment which makes it harder than ever for illegal immigrants to come to the UK and put down roots.

“Illegal immigration puts untold pressure on public services at a time when this country cannot afford to support people not entitled to it. That’s why the UK Border Agency is working day in, day out to cut out the routes – such as sham marriages, bogus students and organised traffickers – being used by foreign nationals to try to stay in the UK permanently.”

Officers questioned staff to ensure they had the right to work in the UK. To check the immigration status of the workers, they used a scanner to check fingerprints against a central database of immigration offenders and also to verify who legitimately is entitled to be in the UK.

The reservations manager of the Middlesbrough restaurant said the owners of Joe Rigatoni’s were unavailable for comment last night.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111 or go to ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/reportimmigration-crime