Car washes targeted in public protection crackdown

Tameside car washes were targeted in multi-agency spot checks to ensure businesses are operating legally and safely.

Tameside Council environmental health and trading standards officers were joined by Greater Manchester Police and Immigration Enforcement on 22 April 2026 to visit five car wash premises in the borough.

The visits focused on health and safety compliance, worker welfare conditions including safeguarding and tackling potential exploitation, trading standards regulations, and immigration and right to work checks.

Officers identified a range of issues across several sites, including:

•            Breaches of health and safety regulations, including inadequate equipment and unsafe working environments

•            Concerns around worker welfare, including poor facilities and lack of appropriate employment conditions

•            Instances of non-compliance with trading standards requirements

•            Individuals identified without the correct documentation to work in the UK

Officers have undertaken a number of immediate follow up actions including detaining individuals, who will be investigated by immigration for further enquiries. Immigration will be taking further enforcement action in relation to this.

They also issued advice for improvements to health and safety standards and business compliance and will take appropriate further enforcement action where necessary. Intelligence will also be shared between partners agencies to support ongoing enforcement activity.

Tameside Council Strategic Director of Housing, Environment & Estates Julian Jackson said: “This operation highlights the continued commitment of our officers and partner agencies to work together to protect workers, ensure fair trading, and maintain safe environments for both employees and customers.

“Our officers work closely with businesses to support them to comply with all relevant regulations and seek guidance where needed. However, where this guidance is not followed or where non-compliance is particularly serious, they will always take further enforcement action.

“This is just one of numerous ongoing joint operations planned as part of our dedicated efforts to tackle rogue businesses, protect the community and protect vulnerable individuals.”