Birmingham Restaurants Fined for Employing Illegal Workers in Immigration Raid
Two neighbouring restaurants in Birmingham city centre, which operated as separate venues but shared the same kitchen, have been fined for employing illegal workers following a Home Office immigration enforcement raid. The raid, conducted on Friday, January 23, 2026, targeted the 'King of Kings' unit, currently trading as the In Time and Wangee restaurants located at the junction of Upper Dean Street and Dean Street.
Arrests and Fines Issued
Immigration officers, accompanied by West Midlands Police, arrested seven individuals on suspicion of immigration offences during the operation. Those arrested included:
- Two Chinese men
- Three Chinese women
- A man from Pakistan
- A man from Timor
Specifically, two illegal workers were discovered at the In Time Restaurant and Bar, and two more at Wangee. Fines were issued for each violation, highlighting the serious nature of the offences.
Police Call for Licence Review
West Midlands Police is now pursuing a review of the premises licence for both venues. Supt Karl Thomas from the police's licensing team stated that the premises are not promoting the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder. He emphasised that during the raid, it was found that the King of Kings had been split into two units with separate entrances and no internal passage between them, yet they shared a kitchen and had their own waiting staff.
Additionally, Supt Thomas noted that alcohol was not securely locked away, and the designated premises supervisor, Wenqin Cai, was not present at the time. This has raised serious concerns about compliance with licensing conditions, including one that requires alcohol to be displayed in a locked glass cabinet with only the supervisor holding the key.
Background and Licensing Details
The premises licence holder for the venue, under its former trading name King of Kings, is Ms Tingting Cai. A date for the Birmingham City Council licensing hearing has yet to be set, but the police's application for review underscores the potential consequences for the restaurants' operations.
Recent Immigration Enforcement Actions
This raid was part of a broader crackdown on illegal working in the region. On the same day, the Phoenix bar in Masshouse Plaza was also raided, resulting in the arrest of four Chinese nationals, with three found to be working illegally and civil penalties imposed. Earlier, on Wednesday, February 26, The Al Halal Supermarket in Coventry Road, Small Heath, was targeted, leading to the arrest of one Pakistani national and a civil penalty notice.
A Home Office spokesman commented on the situation, stating, "Illegal working undermines honest employers, undercuts local wages and fuels organised immigration crime. This government will not stand for it." The spokesman added that enforcement action nationwide has increased by 83 per cent in illegal working arrests since the government came to power, with plans to step up efforts further in the coming year.
The case highlights ongoing issues with immigration compliance in the hospitality sector and the collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies to address them.
