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Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
The hidden underbelly of Wales where exploitation is rife
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Frantic shouting in Mandarin erupts from behind a curtain separating the front desk from the kitchen at the Red Hot Goodies Chinese takeaway. Waiting customers are turned away. Upstairs is a modest, cramped flat which is searched by five officers clad in stab vests emblazoned with "'Immigration Enforcement". They swiftly locate each individual in the building, including one who was evidently serving customers moments before. The takeaway in Blackwood, Gwent, is shut down for the evening. The suspected illegal worker, a Chinese woman who only provides her first name and denies working at the takeaway despite being spotted behind the till, is not the person the officers are seeking. She is detained nonetheless. It emerges the young woman, a former marketing student who arrived in the Caerphilly town two months earlier, had entered the UK legally on a skilled worker's visa. She is performing what is considered unskilled work by assisting behind the till at the takeaway. Her stay is therefore unlawful and she is informed she will have to depart the UK as soon as possible. The unassuming takeaway operates on a quiet residential street. Its young male owner informs officer Richard Johnson, who's leading the raids, that the woman chanced upon his family online. He claims he has never paid her, showing the officers the company's bank statements. These reveal the woman is paying him £280 a month to live in the flat upstairs with the family. Attempting to ignore the owner's mother, who persistently yells over the officers in Mandarin, they ascertain she's essentially receiving reduced rent in exchange for her work. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone (Image: Media Wales) The proprietor insists he knows nothing about the woman beyond her name, age, and the validity of her passport, reports Wales Online. Richard asks: "The only reason she came here was to help you in this shop?" The owner responds: "I think she was homeless and had nowhere to go." Richard questions: "Why did you think she was homeless?" "I just took a guess," he answers. It transpires the takeaway has previously been penalised for employing an illegal worker. The owner is issued a referral notice and warned he could face another potential fine of up to £60,000. Penalties now stand at £45,000 for a first-time offence and can rise to £60,000 for subsequent offences. Once a notice is issued, it is handled by a central immigration office in Manchester which conducts further investigations and determines the appropriate penalty. (Image: Media Wales) The young woman provides evidence that she has arranged a flight back to China for the following week and assures the officers she will leave the country. As we exit the takeaway, Richard explains the background. "You get people who've come over on small boats and in the back of lorries or in through the backdoor through Ireland," he says. "But often the people we're dealing with have entered the country legally but then they breach the terms of their visa. "That woman had come in on a skilled worker visa and was clearly carrying out unskilled work, so she's broken the rules of the system. The skilled worker visa is strictly for people to come to this country and contribute skilled work. We regularly encounter people who've come in using the skilled worker visa and they're behind a till serving in a restaurant or takeaway or a corner shop. "If we arrest someone we have to ask them first, 'Are you prepared to return voluntarily?' And if they book a flight and show evidence that they've booked it, they may not get detained. More and more now when we catch them, they tend to book a flight and go. We don't get much hassle." (Image: Media Wales) Richard continued: "We don't often get hassle really. We sometimes do at the car washes. There is a car wash we've done a few times and you always know it's either going to kick off there or people are going to run. You've always got to be prepared for people to run but sometimes it still catches you by surprise. "Or in a restaurant they might not run but they'll take their aprons off and go out to the back. There are some peculiar ones. We often find illegal workers cooking in restaurant kitchens and they claim they're cooking for themselves." Just hours before arriving at the Chinese takeaway, the officers visited the Bella e Buona Italian restaurant in Brynmawr. During their previous two surprise visits to the restaurant, they had discovered Albanian illegal workers in the kitchen – some of whom fled when the officers arrived. With the threat of closure hanging over the restaurant, this time there were no illegal workers to be found. "It seems they've learned their lesson," said Richard before heading to his next assignment in Cardiff. (Image: Media Wales) Over the past week Richard, from Port Talbot, and his Wales and west of England immigration enforcement team have been busy busting illegal workers across various sites. Their crackdowns ranged from a Tenby construction site, where five illegal workers were detained, to Treforest's Choices Express takeaway, leading to a Sri Lankan man's arrest. At a Premier Stores in Pontypridd, an Indian man was detained for violating immigration bail. It's part of a clear trend. Between July 5 last year, and May 31, 2025, the Wales and west of England squad arrested 1,057 illegal workers, up an astounding 114% on the previous year. The number of visits was up too, by 96% to 1,477, matching a surge in illegal migrant landings in the UK. During a January operation at a dairy farm in Llangedwyn, Powys, six Romanians were arrested for visa infractions. Another visit to a solar farm in Anglesey on March 20 led to 16 arrests and a referral notice being served on the subcontractor. Particular focus has been on tackling employers who facilitate illegal working, often subjecting migrants to squalid conditions and illegal working hours below minimum wage. Restaurants, nail bars and construction sites have been among the hundreds of businesses targeted. (Image: Media Wales) "In the last financial year we arrested more illegal workers than any immigration enforcement team in the country," Richard revealed. "In the first eight weeks of this financial year we've done more than double the arrests than the same period last year. So we're looking at well over 2,000 (arrests) if we keep on the same trajectory." Is that a positive development or a cause for concern? "It depends which way you look at it I suppose," said Richard." I think at least it shows our commitment to prioritise and target illegal working." A recent raid on a distribution centre uncovered so many undocumented workers that it overwhelmed a computer system used by officers known as Pronto. For each individual case, the system logs details such as name, date of birth, arrival date in the UK, visa information, contact information, any mitigating circumstances, and what the employer has told visiting officers. Richard observed that the nature of the job is becoming much less predictable. "Our activity has rocketed. Now there are far more jobs because illegal working has grown and evolved. "It's still the usual suspects – barbers, takeaways, restaurants, corner shops – but it's not always like that anymore. It's rife too in the care sector, construction sector and even farming. We're now doing farms in Wales with some success." (Image: Media Wales) Richard, who has a 25-year tenure in immigration enforcement, shed light on the devastating reality for many who are led to the UK by people smugglers with false promises of an improved life with ample opportunities. Instead, they often find themselves in deplorable living conditions, earning scant wages for long, harsh hours under the perpetual risk of arrest and expulsion. "A lot of them, I think, see a better future than is the reality when they get here," said Richard. Hopeful migrants often pay hefty sums for transport, sometimes up to £10,000, which they then strive to repay only to encounter bitter disappointment. "There are often some really sad cases," he said. "We went to a brothel and encountered three Brazilian sex workers. I believed them when they said they never had any intention of being sex workers but they came here and fell into it and the money was better than what they got at home. "One had made £10,000 and we seized it all because it had clearly been gained unlawfully. All three of them went back to Brazil with nothing. They'd clearly been duped. "The incentive mainly is financial. If someone is illegal they'll more than likely work for less money or, in certain cases, will work for no money at all and would just get accommodation or food in return. Sometimes they're told when they get here they'll be working and earning money beyond their wildest dreams and often that's not the case. They realise the streets aren't paved with gold. "It's clear exploitation but sadly they don't always see it like that because life might be so difficult for them back home. In many cases they're living in awful conditions, sharing a room with four or five others, and they're sending the majority of the money back to their families." (Image: Paul Gillis/Reach PLC) The team has now been alerted by a local tip-off that another Chinese takeaway in Caerphilly borough may have illegal workers. Upon visiting the establishment, the officers encounter a visibly distressed family of five. The father, who runs the takeaway, struggles to find his words initially and invites the officers to check every corner of the premises, hastily asserting, "No-one is hiding here." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox During my time with the enforcement team, I've noticed their consistent calmness and respectfulness on these operations. Quickly realising that no laws are being broken, they offer their apologies and depart from the property. "That one is most likely a malicious report," Richard remarks. When asked what he means, he explains: "Someone who doesn't like them. We call it malicious intel. We do always try and corroborate checks to rule out a possibility of malicious intel but if that isn't possible. "If we haven't visited the premises in years we tend to decide it's probably worth looking at just in case. It's always difficult because it can be worrying for the owners, particularly if there are children involved." He said officers often receive valuable information via anonymous tips by the public. "Sources remain completely anonymous but they tend to be from police, members of the public, or other times it's us targeting known problem areas," Richard said. "At the moment it's delivery drivers that is a big one for us. They'll stop to pick up an order and we'll intercept. But many of them are in a WhatsApp group together and word will get around about where we are, so it can be tricky. It can sound straightforward but it definitely isn't." Find crime figures for your area
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Oasis' links to Wales including one member who is actually Welsh
Oasis' links to Wales including one member who is actually Welsh Legendary indie band Oasis are coming back to Wales as they embark on an epic comeback tour next month. The Gallagher brothers have performed together many times in Cardiff before, and the band actually has very strong links with the city and other parts of Wales Noel Gallagher performs with Oasis in Cardiff back in 1996 (Image: Media Wales ) Oasis are gearing up to launch their massive reunion tour in Cardiff, with the Gallagher brothers set to take to the stage together for the first time in 16 years in under a month's time. The concerts, part of the Oasis Live '25 tour announced last year, take place on Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5. Many were surprised and delighted that the iconic '90s band chose the Welsh capital as the city to kick-start what is one of the most eagerly awaited musical tours in rock or pop history. They could have chosen any city in the UK - or the world - to start Oasis Live '25, but all eyes will be on the Principality Stadium in early July. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here, reports Wales Online. Perhaps the venue for the first two comeback concerts should not come as a surprise, given the band's strong connections to Wales. After all, they recorded their hit second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? around 40 miles from Cardiff at the world-famous Rockfield Studios in Monmouthshire. The album went on to sell more than 22 million copies across the world. It's regarded by many as the band's finest work, boasting hits including Wonderwall, Don't Look Back in Anger, Some Might Say, and Champagne Supernova. Three miles away from Rockfield Studios you'll find The Royal Oak pub in the market town of Monmouth, and had you popped in there in the summer of 1995 there's a fair chance you would have seen frontman Liam Gallagher drinking pints late into the night. Article continues below During the recording of the album at Rockfield - which was released in October 1995 - Liam admitted that he 'spent more time in the pub than I did here". He said: "I'd do my singing and I'd come back and our kid (Noel Gallagher) would still be playing the same f****** riff over and over and over again". You can read much more about Liam's experiences of Rockfield and Monmouth here. Oasis have also performed numerous times in Cardiff, including at the then-Millennium Stadium in 2009 on the Dig Out Your Soul Tour and back in 2005 as part of the Noise and Confusion show, where they were supported by the Foo Fighters. It seems odd to think it now, given Oasis have totally sold out stadium shows all over the UK and Ireland this summer, but the band actually played Cardiff International Arena - with its relatively small capacity of around 7,000 people for a music gig - as recently as October 2008. Liam Gallagher performs with Oasis at Cardiff International Arena in 1997 (Image: PA ) Oasis also played the arena, located on Mary Ann Street in the centre of Cardiff, in 1996, 1997 and 2002. Meanwhile, the band performed in more modest surroundings in the Welsh capital back in 1994 when they played at Cardiff University and, later that same year, at the Astoria, which was a legendary nightclub on Queen Street. Principle songwriter Noel Gallagher also has personal ties to Wales. He is the father of three children, Anais, Donovan and Sonny, with his first child Anais being born to his ex-wife Meg Matthews. Anais, who works as a model and a photographer, is currently in a relationship with Welsh actor Callum Scott Howells, known for his role in It's A Sin. The couple have been together since autumn 2023. Perhaps Oasis' biggest tie with Wales is the fact that one of their members is actually Welsh. In 1999, original bassist and founding member Paul 'Guigsy' McGuigan left the band, along with guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs. The pair were replaced by English guitarist Gem Archer and another musician called Andy Bell, who had formerly founded a rock band called Ride. Bell, now 54, was born in Cardiff in 1970 and later moved to Oxford and then Sweden. Bell has confirmed that he will take to the stage with Oasis just a couple of miles from his birthplace when the Principality Stadium shows kick-off this summer's tour. Article continues below With now less than a month to go, you can find all the details about the Principality Stadium gigs here. For all the latest information about tickets, including resale sites, click here.
Wales Online
29-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Welsh school in beautiful location has just 8 pupils
Welsh school in beautiful location has just 8 pupils Children have been taught at Ysgol Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire since the 1950s, but numbers have dropped in recent years to an all-time low and efforts are being made to save it for the future Ysgol Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire (Image: Media Wales ) Located in a wonderful village in a beautiful area of Wales, this school is in a perfect spot for families with a backdrop consisting of a large beach, an historic castle and beautiful woodland walks. And yet, the school is struggling to survive because of dwindling numbers. Ysgol Llansteffan has just eight pupils and is urgently hoping to attract more in order to safeguard its future. It had more than 30 pupils as recently as 2016, but numbers have continued to fall. Generations of children have been taught in the school since it opened in the early 1950s, many of whom still live in the village. Last year the school had only nine pupils. Then one of them left. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here . Ysgol Llansetffan is part of a school federation which includes Ysgol Bancyfelin (a 35-minute round trip which includes crossing the notoriously busy A40 dual carriageway) and Ysgol Llangain (10 minutes away by car). Last year, parent and PTA member Charlotte Grice said: 'There were more than 30 children at the school but a main teacher moved schools on a secondment. "Since then, the school has only been able to have supply teachers and that lack consistency and continuity has meant children have moved to other schools, added to the fact that we are quite far out from other areas in Llansteffan. "There's been frustration from parents but we all just want to save it. Unfortunately, with eight children it's just not feasible. It's a huge shame as it's a brilliant school, my daughter loves it there, and it's the best school out of the three in the federation in terms of location - you couldn't wish for a better place.' Parents have now created a video that highlights some of the work that goes on behind the scenes at the school and the education it offers to young minds. The school has been open since the early 1950s (Image: Media Wales ) Rhys Emlyn, the 'Mock Mayor' of Llansteffan, shared the video on social media and said: 'If you are in search of a primary school in the most picturesque of settings, teaching in the medium of Welsh, then Ysgol Llansteffan will surely be an ideal candidate. "The school has been a significant institution for Llansteffan village for many decades, and with a healthy thriving pupil population, will continue to be so for many years to come.' Glynog Davies, cabinet member for education and Welsh language at Carmarthenshire Council, said schools across the area were facing up to a 'range of challenges'. He said: 'The aim is to transform the network of nursery, primary and secondary schools into a strategically and operationally effective resource that meets current and future need for a school-based and community -focused education.' Ysgol Llansteffan is accepting applications for new pupils that will help to save its long-term future. You can contact the school by e-mail on admin@ or by calling 01267 241479. Article continues below
Wales Online
26-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Greggs opens new store in Welsh town despite health board objections
Greggs opens new store in Welsh town despite health board objections The town is home to some of the most deprived wards in Wales where health expectations are relatively low in comparison to the rest of the country George Street, Pontypool, where a Greggs has opened despite an objection from the health board (Image: Media Wales ) A new Greggs bakery has opened its doors at a Welsh high street despite health officials' worries about "unhealthy food". The well-loved brand, self-proclaimed as "the UK's leading bakery food-on-the-go retailer", opted to expand into a previously unoccupied shop adjacent to its establishment on George Street in Pontypool's town centre last year. The company has confirmed that the bakery began serving customers on Friday, May 23, despite vociferous objections from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. Writing to planners the health board had said it had concerns about what it called the proliferation of food and drink outlets within Pontypool town centre. Pontypool as a town is home to some of the most deprived wards in Wales where health expectations are relatively low in comparison to the rest of the country. The health board raised the location of the new Greggs near to a school as a concern and cited worries too about the store's impact on local eating habits. But planning officer Tom Braithwaite said there is a limited capacity to tackle issues regarding fast food outlets being situated near schools. Article continues below Planners gave the premises the green light when an application to repurpose the building at 13 to 15 George Street – formerly home to Superdrug – came under review. Torfaen Borough Council's planning committee dismissed the objections, stating that the additional outlet would not lead to an excessive concentration of food and drink premises in the area nor would it dent the "vitality" of the town centre. Mr Braithwaite said the type of goods sold couldn't determine the application as it was for mixed retail and food and drink uses so could be operated by any business in those use classes. His report concluded: "The nature of the occupier and the goods that they sell in this instance cannot prejudice the favourable determination of this application, and on balance does not warrant refusal of the scheme presented." Greggs' new expanded outlet on George Street, featuring indoor seating, will operate from 6.30am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 6pm on Sundays. The chain confirmed that it retained all 12 members of staff from its former George Street location. Gillian Long, retail operations director for Greggs, said: "We're excited to be welcoming customers to our new and improved shop in Pontypool, with one new member joining the existing team. Article continues below "We look forward to providing customers with a modern, convenient new place to experience their Greggs favourites." In its planning application, the company stated that, as of 2023, 40% of its product range were "healthier options", each containing under 400 calories and without any red traffic lights, adhering to the UK Government's voluntary nutrition labelling scheme.
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Mark Jones dead at 59: Wales rugby star dies after heart attack in gym as touching tributes paid to ‘giant'
FORMER Wales dual-code rugby international Mark Jones has died suddenly at the age of 59. Wales Rugby League said Jones died of a heart attack while at a gym in the Middle East. Advertisement 1 Former Wales No 8 Mark Jones has died at the age of 59 Credit: Mark Jones/Media Wales Neath said news of the death of their former player had left the club "heartbroken" and paid tribute to "a real force of nature". Jones began his senior rugby career in union with local side Tredegar Ironsides before joining Tredegar RFC, then on to Neath in 1985 - at the time one of the powerhouses of Welsh rugby. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at Advertisement READ MORE SPORT NEWS
