THREE alleged failed asylum seekers have been arrested after immigration officials raided a Chinese takeaway in York.

The Home Office immigration enforcement operation targeted Hotwinds in Huntington.

Staff were checked and three men from China, whom officials claimed did not have permission to be in the UK, were discovered.

The owners of the takeaway, on Brockfield Park Drive, have also been served with a “civil penalty notice” for employing the trio of alleged illegal workers.

This means they will face a fine of up to £30,000 if they cannot prove the necessary checks were carried out on the men before they were allowed to work there.

The operation was launched on Sunday evening.

A spokesman for the Home Office said the three men who were arrested had “no legal right” to be in the country and are currently being detained as arrangements are made for them to be removed from the UK.

Julie Curle, acting assistant director for the Home Office’s Yorkshire and Humber immigration and enforcement team, said: “The message to employers in York who choose to use illegal labour is clear – we will catch you and you could face a heavy penalty.

“Illegal working is not a victimless crime. It defrauds the taxpayer, undercuts honest employers and cheats legitimate jobseekers out of employment opportunities.

“We are happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be made on staff, but those who break the law should know they will face heavy fines.”

A raid last month at the Indian Lounge in Swinegate, York, carried out by immigration officers and North Yorkshire Police, resulted in six alleged illegal immigrants from Bangladesh being arrested.

The restaurant’s owners claimed they were not employed there, but have still been asked for proof of checks on their status being carried out.