Arrests and seizures made in Herefordshire multi-agency op

Officers from Herefordshire police teams joined partner agencies for a series of unannounced visits to several restaurants, takeaways and shops at the end of last week.

They took part in a MATES (Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement Strategy) operation with Trading Standards, Licensing, Immigration and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service targeting businesses in the city and in Ross on Wye on Thursday 17 July and Friday 18 July.

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

A man in his 40s was arrested at a nail bar in Market Place in Ross-on-Wye, who it’s believed had entered the UK illegally. He was bailed on the spot by Immigration officers, and a civil penalty was served to the business owner too.

A man in his 20s was arrested on Commercial Street in the city centre, suspected of illegally working as a food delivery driver, he was bailed pending further enquiries.

A man and a woman, both in their 20s, were arrested at an Asian restaurant on Garrick Lane, Hereford on suspicion of immigration offences and were detained by Immigration officers.

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 SNT said: “Working with partners, this MATES op 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, and further investigations are being carried out.”