A KEIGHLEY business owner has spoken of his shock after his premises were investigated by immigration officers at the end of last week.

Mohammed Towasin, who owns Miraj Fast Food takeaway, in South Street, said about eight officials arrived unannounced on Friday afternoon.

He understands they had been told someone was working illegally at the business, even though this proved not to be the case.

A Home Office spokesman confirmed this week: “Home Office immigration officers did visit a business in South Street, Keighley, on Friday, but no arrests were made.”

Mr Towasin, who has been running Miraj for 14 years, said he had never experienced anything like this before.

“It seems someone had claimed he was working here, even though he wasn’t,” he said. “I think they were looking for just one person.

“I was quite shocked. We don’t employ anyone like that here.

“You expect something like this in a bigger city where there are always people coming and going, but we’re only a small community.”

He said the Home Office officials had been polite, professional and had stayed for about half-an-hour to interview staff.

“We were doing our job and they were just doing theirs,” he added. “They checked the building and asked for our names and national insurance numbers.

“At the time there was a lot of traffic on the road outside, so many people would have seen what was happening. I’ve already had a few phone calls from people asking me what was going on.”

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said anyone who knowingly employs people who are not entitled to work in the UK can expect to receive a surprise visit.

He has welcomed the government’s efforts to reduce the number of people entering the country to live and work, and said more can be done to cut these numbers further.

Responding to the Miraj incident, he added: “Whilst no evidence of wrongdoing was found, I hope the episode serves as a reminder to other employers that workers who have no right to be here will be found.”