ILLEGAL Vietnamese workers were found in raids by immigration enforcement officers on nail bars in Otley and Guiseley... including a 15-year-old boy.

Two men were arrested and two teenagers were taken into care when officers went to three West Yorkshire premises, acting on intelligence.

Raids were carried out at Pretty Nails in Market Place, Otley and Summer Nails in Otley Road, Guiseley, as well as Lisa VN Nails at Imperial Arcade, Huddersfield. Staff at all three businesses were questioned to check they had the right to live and work in the UK.

At Pretty Nails, a 15-year-old Vietnamese boy was found to be in the UK illegally. He was escorted from the premises and is now in the care of social services. The nail bar was served a notice for employing the illegal worker, and warned they were liable for a penalty of up to £20,000 unless evidence of pre-employment checks was provided.

At Summer Nails, a 17-year-old Vietnamese boy was found to be in the UK illegally. He was taken from the premises and is now also in the care of social services. The nail bar was also served a notice for employing the illegal worker.

Two Vietnamese men, both aged 25, were arrested at Lisa VN Nails. They were detained pending their removal from the country. The nail bar is facing a penalty of £40,000, unless they can produce the required evidence.

Home Office Immigration Enforcement deputy director, Anita Bailey, said: "The message to businesses in West Yorkshire using illegal labour is clear – our enforcement teams will catch you and, if the correct checks have not been carried out, you will pay a heavy penalty.

"Illegal working cheats the taxpayer, undercuts honest employers and often exploits some of society’s most vulnerable people.

"We rely on information from the public, and I would urge people to report suspected immigration abuse to us."

Information to help employers prevent illegal working can be found at the https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties website. It includes a quick answer right-to-work tool to help employers check if someone can work in the UK.

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact https://www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.