RAIDS on car washes suspected of employing illegal workers are set to step up - after government ministers made a pledge to intensify action following successful operations by South Yorkshire Police.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said enforcement teams tasked with the crackdown will ‘intensify their operations’ over the coming weeks as officials target businesses suspected of wrongdoing.
It comes after a series of targeted operations took place across the county which led to dozens of arrests as part of a South Yorkshire Police-led scheme called Operation Bubbles.
Five Barnsley car washes were searched with suspected links to organised immigration crime and illegal working, which resulted in Oakwell Hand Car Wash, on Pontefract Road, being temporarily closed, as well as thousands in cash being seized.
The Chronicle understands nail bars are also set to be targeted.
Ms Cooper said: “We have directed immigration enforcement to intensify their operations over the summer, with a focus on employers who are fuelling the trade of criminal gangs by exploiting and facilitating illegal working here in the UK - including in car washes and in the beauty sector.
“We are drawing up new plans for fast track decisions and returns for safe countries.
“Most people in this country want to see a properly controlled and managed asylum system, where Britain does its bit to help those fleeing conflict and persecution, but where those who have no right to be in the country are swiftly removed.”
South Yorkshire Police works alongside partners including the Immigration Service, Department for Work and Pensions, Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Organised Crime Unit, and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, among others.
Detective Chief Inspector Anna Sedgwick said: “We know that unregulated hand car washes are often linked to wider organised crime groups and involved in the production of drugs, human trafficking, money laundering, child exploitation, as well as organised immigration crime.
“The results from our operations demonstrate that modern slavery is happening within our communities - it’s happening in broad daylight and in places many of us visit as part of our everyday lives.
“We found that employers are exploiting their workers with most being underpaid or working in poor conditions and we have seen a high volume of illegal workers present.
“Exploitation can take many forms and there is no typical victim of modern slavery.
“Victims can be men, women and children of all ages and from many different countries.
“However, it is more prevalent amongst the most vulnerable, minority or socially excluded groups in society.
“Often workers are forced to work illegally and against their will, working long hours and often in hard conditions.
“I urge anyone with concerns to tell us straight away to help us identify potential victims, protect and safeguard the vulnerable and pursue the criminals exploiting them.
“If you suspect someone is being exploited, or you feel that you are being exploited, we are here to help.”
