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47 arrested in immigration raids Raids target 'immigration abuse'
(1 day later)
Forty-seven people have been arrested in connection with alleged immigration offences after a series of police raids at restaurants across England. Police have arrested 70 men in an operation targeting abuses of the immigration system.
Searches have been carried out at sites in Manchester, Liverpool, Ellesmere Port, Sheffield and Kent. Searches are being carried out at 22 sites in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Ellesmere Port, Sheffield and Kent.
The operation, headed by Merseyside Police, also involved the Department for Work and Pensions and the UK Immigration Service. Operation Chalice, headed by Merseyside Police, also involved the Department for Work and Pensions and the UK Immigration Service.
In total, 10 out of the 14 premises raided, were restaurants. Of the premises raided, 10 were restaurants, including the Shere Khan in Rusholme, Manchester.
These included the Shere Khan and King Cobra in Rusholme, Greater Manchester. Homes searched
Two residential and two business addresses were also raided in the Greater Manchester area. Residential and business properties were also searched in Greater Manchester.
Kent Police said it executed search warrants at premises in the Bluewater shopping centre shortly after 1800 GMT. Kent Police said it executed search warrants at premises in the Bluewater shopping centre on Friday night and five men were arrested.
Detective Superintendent Steve Moore of Merseyside Police, said the arrests followed "a lengthy investigation into abuse of the immigration system". Police said 20 of the 70 arrests were made at two restaurants on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme - known locally as "the curry mile".
He said the inquiry concerned offences under the Immigration Act including allegations of facilitation of illegal immigration. Police arrested 13 men at a restaurant in the Trafford Centre, Manchester and a further 7 at a restaurant and takeaway in the shopping centre.
Seven men were arrested at a restaurant at Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village in Ellesmere Port, nine men at two restaurants in Liverpool and one at Sheffield's Meadowhall shopping centre.
Later on Saturday, police said a further seven residential addresses in Greater Manchester and Liverpool were being searched by officers.
'Lengthy investigation'
Other arrests were made in Rochdale, Hale Barns and Altrincham. Det Supt Steve Moore, of Merseyside Police, said the developments were the "result of a lengthy investigation into abuse of the immigration system".
He added: "We have been working closely with colleagues in partner agencies and as a result have arrested a large number of people for offences under the Immigration Act.
"These offences include the facilitation of illegal immigration and other offences under the Immigration Act."
The managing director of the Shere Khan Indian restaurant chain, Steve Garrity, confirmed a number of his restaurants were raided by police.
The men arrested, all aged in their 20s and 30s, are being held at police stations across England and are being interviewed by police and immigration officers.
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