Recent raids across Cumbria form part of the highest level of immigration enforcement activity in British history, the Home Office has said.
Six people were arrested in Cumbria during immigration and illegal working raids on Thursday September 3 and Friday September 4.
Visits saw one man arrested and bailed on suspicion of illegal working from the Saffron restaurant on Blackwell Road and four people from Universe Nails in Whitehaven on suspicion of immigration offences.
A business was also visited in Ambleside on the Friday but the Home Office and police found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Home Office data on enforcement raids nationally. (Image: Home Office)
Arrests came after the Home Office announced enforcement activity for illegal working and immigration offences had reached record levels in the UK.
Home Office records show that more than 17,400 raids were carried out at businesses between July 2024 and the end of December 2025.
Ministers say the total represents a 77 per cent increase since the Labour Government came to power.
More than 12,300 people were arrested during the same period, an 83 per cent rise.
Businesses targeted included nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops.
Immigration Enforcement teams said the operations were aimed at people attempting to undercut honest workers and hide in plain sight.
A Home Office spokesperson said that visits in Cumbria followed community "intelligence relating to illegal working."
A separate residential visit in Carlisle involved immigration officers with an arrest warrant and Cumberland Council officers holding a housing warrant.
The housing warrant related to an unlicensed house in multiple occupation, known as an HMO.
Immigration officers arrested a man who was subject to a deportation order.
As of September 10, he was in custody, pending his removal from the UK.
The Home Office said employers who hire illegal workers without completing the required right-to-work checks can face fines of up to £45,000 per illegal worker. Fines can rise to £60,000 for repeat offences.
The department said the latest enforcement increase was supported by an extra £5 million in funding last year.
Cash was used to target and pursue criminality linked to illegal working.
The Government said the crackdown was part of its efforts to restore order to the immigration system and end the lure of illegal working that gangs use to sell spaces on small boats.
The Home Office said that "since coming into power, we have increased immigration enforcement action to the highest level in British history."
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