Six Indian delivery drivers were arrested in Worcester during dawn raids for working illegally. Employer served notice.
The Home Office stated the drivers were Indian nationals working illegally. The employer received a notice and two drivers will be removed from the UK.
Midlands’ Immigration Enforcement saw more illegal work, making 106 arrests last month. They also carried out 131 visits, and arrests rose 34% since January 2024.
January saw the most enforcement in five years, with 609 arrests nationwide. This is a 73% increase from last year, which only saw 352 arrests.
A Home Office person spoke about the impact, saying some people get false promises about working here. This makes them risk Channel crossings and they often face bad conditions.
Illegal work means low pay and long hours, while employers dodge taxes and undercut honest businesses. January raids targeted restaurants and cafes mostly, and they also checked food and drink places.
Yvette Cooper said immigration rules must be followed. Officers visited a depot in Worcester at dawn and arrested six Indian delivery drivers and the employer received a notice.
Immigration enforcement protects workers and they work with other groups to report exploitation. Cooper stated immigration rules must be enforced now.
Cooper explained employers exploit illegal migrants and many people arrive and work illegally here. She added that there was no enforcement before.
This creates Channel crossing risks, and it also hurts vulnerable people and the economy. Their plan boosts enforcement and adds tough new laws, which will target criminal gangs, according to Cooper.