Nail bar illegal working arrests amid crackdown

Four people at a Shropshire nail bar have been arrested on suspicion of illegal working, police have said.

A national crackdown on organised immigration crime saw arrests made across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire by West Mercia Police and Immigration Enforcement between 15 and 20 June.

Businesses such as nail salons, car washes, barbers and vape shops were visited. Fast food delivery riders and delivery drivers were also targetted.

Eight arrests were made including one man for immigration entry offences at a Telford car wash and another man in Hereford on suspicion of being an overstayer in the UK.

One man was arrested in Hereford on suspicion of driving other than in accordance with his licence and driving without insurance and a woman was arrested at a massage parlour in Worcester on suspicion of controlled prostitution for financial gain.

People at some of the premises police visited were following restrictions, the force said.

Det Insp Steve Lloyd, tactical lead for organised immigration crime for West Mercia, said: "Organised immigration crime is a complex and evolving challenge, and it remains a national high‑priority threat.

"It involves the illegal movement of people into and out of the UK and often enables individuals to remain in the country illegally under exploitative and harmful circumstances."

The arrested people have all been bailed.

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