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Ipswich businesses in the Norwich Road area fined for hiring illegal workers in crackdown




A trio of businesses in Ipswich were fined for hiring illegal workers during a crackdown.

Suffolk Police, immigration officers from the Home Office and Suffolk Trading Standards visited 14 premises in Norwich Road and the surrounding area yesterday in a bid to identify vulnerable people and safeguard those at risk of exploitation.

Businesses targeted included nail bars, hairdressers and hand car washes.

Three businesses in Ipswich have been fined for hiring illegal workers. Picture: iStock
Three businesses in Ipswich have been fined for hiring illegal workers. Picture: iStock

Of these 14, three were found to be employing legal workers, either people not permitted to work as part of their visas or not properly registered.

The business owners were fined and welfare checks made on the workers themselves.

In addition, counterfeit tobacco and illegal vapes were also seized from stores.

Acting Inspector Jess Lawlor said: “This operation demonstrates our commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring that businesses operate within the law.

“Exploitation and modern slavery have no place in our communities and we will continue to work closely with our partners to identify those who may be vulnerable, offer them support, and take action against those who seek to exploit others.

“The operation forms part of our ongoing commitment to tackle hidden harm and ensure that all workers are treated fairly and lawfully.”