IMMIGRATION officers arrested two Pakistani men during raids on a kebab shop and a convenience store.

One of the firms is facing a fine of up £20,000 if it is found to have employed a 24-year-old worker illegally.

The simultaneous raids took place at Essex Food Centre in London Road, Westcliff, and Best Kebabs, in West Street, Southend, at about 6pm on June 23.

A worker in a nearby shop in London Road, who asked not to be named, said he saw two vans pull up outside the convenience store before up to eight officers jumped out.

He said: “Some of them ran around the back where there are a few flats. I don’t know if it had anything to do with the shop or not.

“They took one guy away.

“The funny thing is, I then left work and saw another van parked up in Colchester Road because they were raiding the kebab shop as well.

“I thought they were following me about.”

A worker in Essex Food Centre, which is facing the hefty fine, told the Echo he knew nothing about an immigration raid and the owner was not around because “he has a lot of businesses”.

The raid on Best Kebab uncovered a 30-year-old man who had overstayed his visa.

A worker who identified himself as the owner but would not reveal his name, said as far as he was aware the man was legally allowed to work.

He said: “To be honest with you, I don’t know what is going on or what will happen.

“I will be seeing him later but right now he is still detained.

“He is here legally as far as I know.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “Acting on intelligence, Immigration Enforcement visited the Essex Food Centre, London Road, Westcliff, and Best Kebabs, West Street, Southend.

“At the Westcliff address, a 24-year-old man from Pakistan was arrested as an illegal entrant to the UK.

“At the premises in Southend, a Pakistani man, 30, who had overstayed his visa was arrested. Both men remain in immigration detention while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.

“The Westcliff business was served a notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 will be imposed unless they can demonstrate that appropriate right to work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.”

Business found to have employed workers illegally are sent a civil penalty notice.

They are given 28 days to pay the fine. Owners can also be jailed for two years and fined given an unlimited fine if they are found to knowingly employed some illegally.