It was a buzzing night in Chinatown - then the immigration raids started

It's a beautiful Friday evening in Manchester city centre and the bars and pubs are overflowing with people enjoying the warm weather. But just yards from the sun-drenched beer gardens, others are having their lives turned upside down.

The woman, who was found preparing shellfish in the restaurant's kitchen, is believed to have been working illegally. She now faces an uncertain future and the possibility of being removed from the UK. After a briefing in the car park of a Sainsbury’s store next to Heaton Park, we set out for Spot On Car Wash in Manchester Old Road, Middleton. The raid is acting on intelligence that the car wash has been employing illegal migrants, including boys as young as 14.

The car wash itself is handed a civil penalty referral notice, meaning it could potentially face a fine of up to £60,000. Mr Devereux explains that his team visited the restaurant back in February and made five arrests, but one person is believed to have fled. On this occasion, they have been joined by police and licensing officers from Manchester council.

A woman - believed to be a Chinese national - is eventually led upstairs and into a karaoke booth. Through a small window, I can see her being questioned further. Later that evening, diners at Aplus Oriental Restaurant in Chinatown peer up from their plates in shock as immigration officers rush past them and into the kitchen.

In the kitchen at the back, staff are being questioned. One woman is eventually arrested on suspicion of being illegally present in the UK. He said the operation was aimed at "tackling the threat that illegal working presents to the UK economy".

Chinatown Gay Village

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