Immigration officers storm Kensington cafe after tip-off

The immigration officials' vans parked outside the restaurant in Kensington
Tom Powell11 August 2016

Immigration officers carried out a raid on an upmarket Italian cafe in Kensington yesterday.

Eight officers arrived in two vans and stormed Locanda Ottoemezzo in Thackeray Street at around 2:30pm.

The immigration enforcement squad checked the documentation of members of staff but did not make a single arrest.

James Fairhead, a university teacher who was enjoying a quiet lunch when the officers arrived, said: “They swarmed in like locusts; it was like a scene out of an American movie.

“They all lined up looking stern and serious, it was very dramatic, and then they demanded to see the paperwork of the staff.

“This is a lovely little restaurant, I’ve always come here and I will continue to come here when I’m in London,” added Mr Fairhead, who was visiting from County Cork, Ireland.

Locanda Ottomezzoe cafe was opened in 1995 by Italian brothers Emidio and Francesco, with the adjacent restaurant added in 2002.

One café worker told the Standard: “They just came in and checked ID certificates, that was it.

“They are looking for immigrants who don’t have permission but we are all okay.

“We weren’t expecting them and it didn’t seem necessary at all to have eight officers charge in.”

The Home Office confirmed it had undertaken the raid after receiving allegations of illegal workers.

A spokesperson said: “Immigration Enforcement officers conducted a visit to a business on Thackeray Street, Kensington, this afternoon in response to allegations of illegal working.

“Staff were questioned but no arrests were made. No further action was taken against the owners of the business.”

Two weeks ago, upmarket burger restaurant Byron was lambasted for reportedly collaborating with the Home Office in a “sting” which resulted in the arrests of 35 members of staff.

Byron defended itself, saying it had a legal obligation to help authorities.

However, hundreds of protestors still gathered outside the venues in Holborn and Central St Giles, with both closed after thousands of live locusts and cockroaches were released inside.

The chain carried out the correct “right-to-work” checks on staff members but had been shown false or counterfeit documentation, and will therefore not face civil penalty action, the Home Office said.

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