Three restaurants in Birmingham are to have their operating licences reviewed after all were found to be employing illegal workers during a single day of targeted raids.
Joint Operation Uncovers Six Illegal Workers
The three venues were raided by West Midlands Police in a joint operation with immigration enforcement officials from the Home Office on Wednesday, June 10. The operation focused on city centre eateries, resulting in the discovery of six individuals working without legal status.
The latest venue set to have its premises licence reviewed is the Asia Asia Food Hall in Pershore Street. Superintendent Karl Thomas has submitted an application on behalf of West Midlands Police for a review of the licence. He referenced the joint raid and confirmed that one person at the food hall was found to be working illegally with 'no legal right to work in the UK due to their immigration status and was arrested by immigration officials'.
Supt Thomas said: “West Midlands Police have serious concerns regarding the management of the premises and their capacity to promote the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety.”
Details of the Raids
The premises licence for Asia Asia Food Hall is held by ZLMC Ltd. A review period is open until August 13, during which the public can submit comments by emailing licensing@birmingham.gov.uk.
Also raided that day was Vietnam City Restaurant in Wrottesley Street, located in the city’s Chinatown, just two minutes’ walk from Asia Asia Food Hall. Immigration officers found two illegal workers there—one in the kitchen and another downstairs. One of the individuals reportedly tried to flee the scene, while another was found hiding.
At a third raid, three more illegal workers were discovered at New Tasty Restaurant in Station Street, near Birmingham New Street Station. Searches of the floor below the restaurant revealed that the three illegal workers had been living in a former brothel, which was once a snooker hall. Several 'realistic-looking air weapons' were also discovered and seized during the operation.
Licence Reviews and Next Steps
All three premises will have their licences reviewed by Birmingham City Council’s licensing committee in the coming weeks. The reviews will assess whether the venues are fit to hold operating licences given the serious concerns raised by police regarding crime prevention and public safety.
