A man was arrested for visa violations during a raid by Immigration Enforcement officers at a Londis convenience store in the Heathgate estate near Mousehold Heath. The Home Office confirmed that the Indian male was taken into police custody and will be transferred to an immigration removal centre. Employing someone who does not have the right to work in the UK can result in a five-year jail sentence and an unlimited fine. This includes individuals who do not have permission to enter or remain in the country, are banned from certain types of work, or possess incorrect or false documents.
Norwich City Council will review the premises license of the Londis shop following a public consultation that ended on November 21. The potential actions range from no further action to the removal of the premises license. Despite the arrest, the shop remained open to customers as of Friday. The parent company of Londis, Booker Group, which is owned by Tesco, has been contacted for comment. The Home Office stressed that illegal working has detrimental effects on communities, causing harm to honest workers, endangering vulnerable individuals, and defrauding the public purse. They highlighted the increasing number of illegal working visits and arrests, with more individuals arrested in 2023 than the entire year of 2022.
The arrest took place on Thursday, October 5, but the news came as a surprise to customers who found the shop open the following day. The Home Office emphasized the impact of illegal working on communities, including the displacement of honest workers and the financial burden on public resources. They revealed that illegal working visits had risen by over 50% compared to the previous year, and arrests had more than doubled in 2023. Efforts are also being made to remove individuals who do not have the right to be in the UK. The investigation into the Londis shop raises concerns about the potential consequences for the premises license, which could result in significant penalties or closure.
