Essex Police has asked for a Maldon kebab shop's licence to be revoked after four illegal workers were arrested by immigration officials.

The four men, all Turkish nationals, were arrested following immigration officers' visit to Maldon King Kebab in January.

A report in front of councillors, who will decide the outcome next week, has revealed that during their search the owner, Mehmet Gilgil, is also subject to immigration control.

During the visit he arrived at the high street premises becoming "clearly hostile" to the officers who had to leave the premises due to the manager's "hostile and angry behaviour".

The statement from an immigration officer signed February 1 said Home Office records show that Gilgil himself was encountered to be illegally working at Maldon King Kebab in July 2014 and served as an overstayer.

It added: "Gilgil is subject to immigration control and has leave to remain in the United Kingdom until May 29 2023."

Of the four other men, a 19-year-old arrived in the UK on July 9 2020 illegally and made a claim for asylum on the same date. This was refused on August 15 last year. An appeal was lodged against this refusal on 18 August which is still pending.

A 23-year-old arrived in the United Kingdom by small boat on 1 May 2022 and made a claim for asylum on the same date which remains outstanding.

The two others – a 22-year-old and 23-year-old – have never had permission to work in the United Kingdom but were wearing Maldon King Kebab branded shirts at the time of the raid. Essex Police has argued anything other than a full renovation is insufficient as a deterrent.

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A statement as part of documents to be discussed when councillors review the licence on June 15 said: "Essex Police asks that the premises licence is revoked.

"Merely remedying the existing situation (for instance by the imposition of additional conditions or a suspension) is insufficient to act as a deterrent to the licence holder and other premises' licence holders from engaged in criminal activity by employing illegal workers and facilitating disqualified immigrants to work illegally."

It adds: "Essex Police contends that a licence holder who has himself or through his agents negligently or deliberately failed to conduct right to work checks which have been a requirement since 2006 should not be afforded an opportunity to do so until caught and then merely be asked to do what they should have been doing already."

Mr Gilgil said he would be challenging the review and those arrested were not working.

He said: "When the immigration officers came here, they weren't working. They are my family friends in Turkey. They were not working and the shop wasn't open."

He added he has proof he has permission to stay.

He said: "They can't say that to me. I am a company director. How come I can open a company?

"When you open a company, you need a work permit, a National Insurance number, passport. I have got all of these."

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