POLICE are calling for a New Forest restaurant to be stripped of its licence after it was caught employing illegal immigrants.

A Home Office raid on the Jarna restaurant in Christchurch Road, New Milton, resulted in the removal of six men working there illegally.

Hampshire police are claiming that licence-holder Anwar Hussain has seriously undermined one of the licensing objectives – the prevention of crime and disorder.

An application to have his licence revoked was due to have been debated by New Forest District Council’s licensing sub-committee this week.

But the hearing was adjourned after it was revealed that a request had been submitted to transfer the licence from Mr Hussain to Shahed Miah.

The restaurant could be fined as much as £120,000 for employing illegal workers.

The raid on August 16 resulted in the arrest of three Bangladeshi men, aged 26, 28 and 29. Two of the men had outstayed their visas and the third was found to be a failed asylum-seeker.

Another three men, aged 29, 45 and 60, were found to have no permission to work in Britain and were escorted from the premises.

A police report to the sub-committee said: “Employing illegal workers undercuts honest employers, defrauds the taxpayer and exploits some of society’s most vulnerable people. It also cuts the amount of jobs available to legitimate job-seekers.

“The seriousness of the offence is highlighted by the severe penalties that can be imposed – up to £20,000 per illegal worker.

“This was not just one illegally employed worker but six and on that basis Hampshire Constabulary seeks the revocation of the premises licence.

“It’s evident from the evidence provided by immigration officers that Mr Hussain was fully aware he was employing illegal immigrants, or workers who had no right to work in the UK. The only way to stop businesses such as the Jarna restaurant from exploiting vulnerable people within our society is by revoking the premises’ licence.”

The report said the three people arrested for working there illegally were awaiting deportation.

It added that Mr Hussain telephoned the police last month and claimed that all six men removed during the raid were “guests” and were not employed at the restaurant.

The hearing was adjourned until December 9, when councillors will discuss the police complaint against Mr Hussain and the application to transfer the licence.

Last night a Home Office spokesman said the restaurant had been served with a civil penalty notice – a fine imposed by a Government department.

But he refused to release any more details, citing an “ongoing legal process” that could take several months.