Arrests rise after car washes, nail bars and barbers raided

A "record" 649 people were arrested suspected of working illegally at businesses including car washes, nail bars, barber shops, takeaways across Wales last year, according to the UK government.

The Home Office said the arrests followed more than 1300 raids across Wales and the businesses were targeted as part of "sweeping reforms" to cut illegal migration.

The UK government says the crackdown is building on work to "restore order" to the immigration system and "end the lure" of illegal working that gangs use to sell spaces on small boats.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: "Illegal working fuels the black economy and hurts law-abiding Welsh businesses."

"This government was clear that we will crack down on people and firms who are flouting the rules and we have delivered this with a record year of enforcement activity across Wales," the MP for Cardiff East added.

In Wales in 2025, 1,320 raids were carried out resulting in 649 arrests.

The Home Office says this is a 103% and 85% rise respectively compared to 2024.