Officers from the UK Border Agency raided UK Pizzeria, in Owton Manor Lane, Hartlepool, on Thursday evening.

Witnesses claim some workers tried to escape through the back door of the premises when officials walked in, though a team of officers was able to apprehend them and make arrests.

Four men were taken to Hartlepool police station for questioning and plans are now being made to have them thrown out of the country.

The raid took place at about 5.30pm on Thursday and one onlooker said the border agency team was clearly expecting its targets to try to avoid arrest.

The witness, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It seemed to be a well-planned operation and the border team was in place for quite a while before they made themselves known.

"Some went in the front door, and the rest were waiting around the back. There was some sort of commotion and the next thing I knew there were people being bundled into the vans that were waiting for them."

The owner of the takeaway, who did not wish to comment when approached by the Mail, was served with a Notice of Potential Liability in relation to the workers.

She has 28 days to provide the UK Border Agency with evidence that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out or face a fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker.

Steve Lamb, regional operations director for the UK Border Agency in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, said: "Officers visited UK Pizzeria in Owton Manor Lane on Thursday evening. They spoke to staff inside to ascertain their right to work in the UK.

"As a result, officers arrested four people on suspcion of illegal working.

"They were a 49-year-old Pakistani man, two 27-year-old Indian men and a 29 year-old man, also from India.

"They were taken to Hartlepool Police Station and steps will now be taken to remove them from the country.

"Illegal working is not a victimless crime. It undercuts honest employers and has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work. The UK Border Agency worls with employers so they understand the rules, but businesses have a clear responsibility to carry out the right checks before taking on migrant workers."