Crackdown on illegal immigrants in Aberdeen

Cops raid Nazma restaurant

By Sally Hind and Fiona McWhirter

Published:

SWOOP: Immigration officers and police raid Nazma on Aberdeen's Bridge Street.

TARGETED: Indian restaurant the Nazma Tandoori was raided.

POLICE swooped on Aberdeen businesses as a series of illegal immigrant raids were carried out.

Teams from the UK Border Agency and Grampian Police targeted restaurants and takeaways in Aberdeen.

Shocked diners looked on as the raids took place in Aberdeen city centre – mostly in the Bridge Street area.

Aberdeen’s Nazma Tandoori was full of customers when it was hit at 6.30pm yesterday.

A man who had been working there was led away by officers as the operation continued.

Nazma floor manager Noor Ullah said: “We didn't know anything about this. It was a surprise.”

One customer was shocked to see so much police activity at the premises.

Ronnie Cruickshank, of Kincorth, had been waiting for a takeaway at Nazma when the authorities arrived.

The 51-year-old said: “There were eight police officers, two members of the council and two immigration people.

“I saw the man being taken away.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Grampian Police can confirm that they, along with a number of other partner agencies, supported an operation led by the United Kingdom Border Agency within Aberdeen city centre regarding possible illegal immigrants working within the hospitality industry.

“A number of restaurants and takeaway premises were visited during the operation.”

City council environmental health officers were also involved in the operation.

Another intelligence-led operation into illegal immigrants working in Aberdeen was carried out in June last year.

The Oriental Palace on Great Northern Road had its licence suspended for six months in November after a police raid uncovered several illegal immigrants working at the property.

shind@ajl.co.uk