A suspected illegal worker was arrested after a visit by immigration officials to a Hartlepool restaurant.

A Bangladeshi man was arrested on suspicion of being in breach of his permitted conditions after Immigration Enforcement and police attended Dhamaka, at Navigation Point, on Hartlepool Marina, on Sunday.

The Home Office said the business is now under formal investigation after it was served with a civil penalty referral notice.

If found guilty, it faces a fine of up to £45,000.

Dhamaka restaurant at Hartlepool marina.

placeholder image — Dhamaka restaurant at Hartlepool marina.

Discussing illegal working, a Home Office spokesperson said: “This government will not stand for it.

“Since coming into power, we have increased immigration enforcement action to the highest level in British history.

“This has delivered a 122% rise in illegal working arrests and a 111% rise in raids.”

The spokesperson added Dhamaka’s case is currently with the Home Office civil penalty compliance team and is still ongoing.

Iqram Ahmed, the restaurant’s owner, insisted no-one was arrested at the restaurant and added: “A routine check was made to check for illegal workers. The check was completed in 20 minutes and no-one was arrested at our premises.”