Suffolk: Illegal workers caught in regional nail bar swoops

ELEVEN Illegal workers from Vietnam could cost their employers thousands of pounds after being caught in a crackdown on Suffolk and Essex nail bars.

The businesses could now face fines of up to �10,000 per illegal worker if they cannot prove that the correct pre-employment checks were carried out after raids led by the UK Border Agency (UKBA).

A total of 21 nail bars were visited by officers from the UKBA, HM Revenue & Customs, and Suffolk and Essex Constabularies during a two-month operation which ended last week.

Illegal workers were found at three premises in Ipswich, two in Bury St Edmunds and one in Colchester.

A 23-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man who had overstayed their visas were found at US Star Nails in Lloyds Avenue, Ipswich, while a 27-year-old illegal immigrant was working at Nails and Spa in the town’s St Matthew’s Street.

Another 23-year-old woman was taken into custody after being found at Hollywood Nails in Tacket Street, Ipswich.

Elsewhere three illegal immigrants were discovered in a raid on Hollywood Nails in St Andrew’s Street South in Bury St Edmunds. The workers were two men including a 41-year-old, and a 20-year-old woman. The second man identified at the nail bar initially claimed to be 15, but was subsequently discovered to be over the age of 18.

Two people who had overstayed their visas were found at Celebrity Nails in St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds. Both were men, one of whom was aged 20, the other was 22.

Miss Beauty in Long Wire Street, Colchester, also had a 19-year-old male working at the premises who had entered the country illegally.

n Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where anonymity can be assured.