Eight arrested after police inspect nail bars

Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of immigration offences during a series of inspections at nail bars in Hereford.

The 12 inspections took place in the city centre on Thursday night, following concerns of money laundering, fire safety breaches and human trafficking.

Of the eight people arrested, six were processed and bailed at the scene by Immigration Enforcement officers over suspected immigration offences.

Two men – one in his 20s and one in his 40s – were set to be processed at a deportation centre, police said.

Sgt Duncan Reynolds from West Mercia Police said: "We visited these premises using agency powers in response to concerns around overstaying in the UK, human trafficking, money laundering and fire safety, and inquiries are ongoing into these matters.

"These offences are often linked to organised criminal gangs who prey on some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and we will continue our joint working to tackle these matters in the future."

During the operations, cash detection dogs sniffed out a total of about £23,500 in cash, suspected to be linked to money laundering.

The fire service issued prohibition notices for unsuitable sleeping areas at three of the premises, and a temporary prohibition notice was served on one of the bars for an unsafe building.

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