Two shop workers detained during immigration raid
8:00am Thursday 29th September 2011
A COLCHESTER shop worker was arrested for alleged immigration offences after watching as another suspect was caught at a rival shop.
Shocked residents and fellow shopkeepers looked on as staff at two newsagents, just three doors apart, were detained by the UK Border Agency yesterday.
Officers from the immigration team for north east Essex executed a warrant at the Willows Convenience Store, off Mersea Road.
A 41-year-old Sri Lankan man, who was in the shop alone and whose visa was said to have expired, was arrested and the shop closed temporarily.
While officers searched the flat above, they noticed a man had walked over from Premier Express, another shop in the precinct, to watch.
Immigration officer Gideon Baker said: “I recognised him as a failed asylum seeker and he recognised me too, because he made a run for it. We caught him before he made it out of the precinct and he was arrested.”
Officers said checks confirmed the 47-year-old, from Sri Lanka, had stayed in the UK illegally after his asylum claim was refused.
Both men have been placed in UK Border Agency detention while work to deport them is carried out.
The Willows Convenience Store could face a fine of up to £10,000 unless it can prove correct pre-employment checks were carried out on the worker found there.
A witness said: “There was a man running across, followed by the UK Border guys and we knew something was wrong because the newsagent is never usually shut in the day.
“It was quite shocking. The manwas up against the window and there was a struggle.”
Chomal Abeysiriwardena, originally from Sri Lanka, works at Premier Express.
His visa was checked and he was cleared to remain.
He said: “I was surprised but I was checked and it was OK. I don’t really want to say anything about anyone else.”
Sheena Clark, who works at the Fish & Chicken, said: “Seeing the immigration people around is quite worrying.”
Mr Baker added: “We are determined to crack down on businesses that ignore immigration laws.
“Any employer who takes on foreign nationals without permission to work in the UK is breaking the law.”
The two stores have been rivals since the Willows Convenience Store launched a petition to try and stop the Premier Express store opening nearby.