Immigration Officers Raid High Street Nail Bar

Six people were arrested after immigration officers raided a Sittingbourne High Street nail salon yesterday (Wednesday 15^th October) afternoon.

The Home Office Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Teams, along with assistance from Kent Police, detained four Chinese nationals after swooping on the premises of Joy Nails at number 28 on the High Street.

The two men and four women were identified as suspected immigration offenders and a Civil Penalty Referral Notice was served on the shop. The owners could now face a substantial fine of up to £45,000 per illegal worker, for a first breach, if they are found to have employed someone and failed to conduct the relevant pre-employment checks required by law.

A Home Office spokesperson told SFM News: “Illegal working undermines honest employers, undercuts local wages, and fuels the criminal industry of immigration crime. The government is determined to clamp down on that illegal activity in every sector where it occurs, including nail bars.”

They went on to add: “Under this government, enforcement action nationwide has increased, with visits and arrests up by around 50% on the previous twelve months, and we will be stepping up that action further in the year ahead.”

The Home Office Immigration Enforcement hotline on 0300 123 7000 is the official number to report suspected illegal working, false applications, or immigration smuggling.

You can also report concerns through the GOV.UK website by using their reporting tool or online contact form at:- https://www.imsallegations.homeoffice.gov.uk/start