Eight illegal workers arrested at Livingston restaurant
A Chinese restaurant in Livingston is facing fines of up to £80,000 after eight illegal workers were arrested by immigration officials.
Home Office immigration enforcement officers arrested six men and two women from China after carrying out checks at the China Glen restaurant.
During the operation, three of the workers attempted to flee but were caught by officers.
All eight are being held pending their removal from the UK.
Scotland Police assisted the enforcement officers during the raid.
The restaurant, which is based in the Livingston Designer Outlet, has closed until further notice.
The business has been served with a civil penalty notice for employing the illegal workers.
The restaurant faces a fine of up to £10,000 per worker if they are unable to provide evidence that pre-employment checks were carried out.
Adam Scarcliffe, from the Home Office immigration enforcement team, said: "Illegal working fuels illegal immigration to the UK and that is why we are carrying out operations like these.
"If you are a business you must carry out the correct checks on your staff or you could end up with a heavy fine."
The UK government has unveiled new measures to toughen civil penalties against businesses which employ illegal migrants, while cutting red tape for legitimate employers.
A six-week consultation has been launched as part of government plans under the Immigration Bill to make it more difficult for illegal migrants to live and work in the UK.