Thai restaurant raided by UK Border Agency after false accusation of illegal workers
No arrests were made and all staff members were found to be UK passport holders or have the correct work visas. The Giggling Squid’s managing director Andy Laurilland says he is ‘certain’ the incident relates to another previous accusation that was made a few months earlier, and he is now offering a reward for any information leading to a prosecution.
“This is the second time in three months that we’ve been raided by the authorities,” Laurilland told BigHospitality. “We understand that it’s all tip-off-based and it’s someone wasting public money by using the authorities to make life difficult for someone that they don’t like.”
Intelligence-led operation
“I’m absolutely certain it was the same person for both. We didn’t lose any bookings over this but the restaurant did have to close for what was normally a busy time.”
A statement from the UK Border Agency revealed that officers entered the building on Crawley High Street for 22 minutes while staff were questioned ‘politely and considerately’.
“All of our operations are intelligence led and we have a duty to investigate reports of suspected illegal working when we receive them,” the statement reads. “As a matter of routine no one was allowed to leave or enter the building while this short operation was carried out.”
Previous accusation
Late last year, the same restaurant in Crawley was raided by Sussex Police investigating a complaint that children were being left upstairs, unattended by restaurant staff.
But the ‘children’ turned out to be 16 years of age and Laurilland, who owns the Giggling Squid business with wife and business partner Pranee, believes the two incidents were related and is offering a reward for any extra information.
“We’re offering £1,000 for any information about this malicious rumour-monger that leads to a successful prosecution,” he said.
The UK Border Agency was unable to comment on where it’s ‘intelligence’ for last night's raid originated from.
‘National Thai chain’
Giggling Squid currently has five sites in South-East England. Laurilland previously told BigHospitality of ambitious plans to become ‘the first major national Thai chain with a target of 50 sites over the next five years,and he is sticking to those plans.
“We’ve got a site that we’re currently fitting out in Reigate which should open in a couple of months and we’ve agreed terms for two further sites, with others out on another two more.
“We’re hoping to double in size and get up to between eight and 10 sites later this year.”
