A MAN who is believed to have entered the UK illegally was arrested in Ross-on-Wye as part of a multi-agency operation being carried out across Herefordshire.

Last week police officers from Herefordshire joined with partner agencies for a series of unannounced visits to several restaurants, takeaways and shops.

The Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement Strategy operation was carried out with Trading Standards and Herefordshire licensing officers along with immigration officers and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and targeted businesses in Ross on Wye and Hereford city on subsequent days.

The partnership work also formed part of West Mercia Police’s involvement in the Home Office-backed Safer Streets Summer campaign.

Four arrests were made in total across the two days including a man aged in his 40s was arrested at a nail bar in Market Place in Ross who immigration officers believed he had entered the UK illegally. He was bailed on the spot by officers, and a civil penalty was served to the business owner too.

Two illegal e-bikes linked to fast food delivery drivers were seized in Hereford and approximately £2,000 of illegal ‘shisha’ was also seized from a vape shop on the city’s Commercial Road.

In addition, a further eight premises were found to be fully compliant with employment legislation and no issues were identified.

Police Sergeant Duncan Reynolds of Hereford Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “Working with partners, this Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement Strategy operation was one of our regular visits to food premises and shops to target suspected illegal workers and illegal goods.

“Four arrests were made, illegal products and two e-bikes were seized.”

The National Crime Agency states that cash-intensive businesses are targeted by various law enforcement officers due to the estimated £12bn, which is typically smuggled out of the country or integrated into the legitimate financial system using a variety of laundering techniques.