A RESTAURANT in York could be fined up to £40,000 after two men were arrested there this week.

Immigration Enforcement officers from the Home Office searched the Mumbai Lounge in Fossgate and a nearby flat, as part of an investigation into illegal working.

Two vans and a number of officers, including some from North Yorkshire Police, were at the restaurant for about two hours on Thursday evening, but it remained open for business throughout.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said two Bangladeshi men were arrested at the scene for working illegally, and a 46-year-old man who had overstayed his visa remains in detention pending his removal from the UK.

The spokeswoman said a 37-year-old man who was a failed asylum seeker, was released by the authorities while his case is dealt with, but "must report regularly to the Home Office while his case is dealt with".

Anita Bailey, deputy director for Immigration Enforcement North, said: "We will continue to take action against those who are in the country illegally.

"We would urge members of the public with detailed and specific information about immigration offending to contact us."

The owners of the restaurant - which employs about 30 people - have been served a notice warning, which the Home Office said could see them paying a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per person "unless they can demonstrate that appropriate right to work document checks were carried out".

York Press:

Rakib Ali, owner of Mumbai Lounge, said only one of the men had worked at the restaurant - as a waiter - and he was confident he had the required paperwork.

He said: "The one who was detained was a waiter. The one who was released does not work here, just lives in the flat across the alleyway.

"We will cooperate fully with the Home Office and in the meantime it's business as usual for the Mumbai Lounge."