Delivery drivers: Dozens to be deported after illegal work crackdown
The crackdown on immigration will lead to the deportation of dozens of delivery drivers found working illegally in the UK.
Targeted action by workers in the so-called gig economy led to 171 arrests across the country last month; 60 people were detained for deportation from the UK.
More extensive video footage of the action released by the Home Office shows police officers escorting an arrested man into the back of an immigration van and arresting another man on his bike in the street.
Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood was also present at the operation held in Streatham, South London.
Those arrested included Chinese nationals working in a restaurant in Solihull, West Midlands, Bangladeshi and Indian drivers in Newham, east London, and Indian delivery workers in Norwich, Norfolk.
The move comes as ministers crack down on illegal work in the UK as part of efforts to deter those coming into the country illegally.
Ms Mahmood launched a series of reforms to the asylum system in November aimed at making Britain less attractive to illegal immigration and making it easier to deport people.
Border Security Minister Alex Norris said: “These results should send a clear message: if you are working in this country illegally you will be arrested and removed.
“In addition to providing record levels of enforcement, we are tightening the law to restrict illegal work in the delivery industry to root out this criminality in our communities.
“This action is part of the most sweeping changes to illegal immigration in modern times to reduce the incentives that attract illegal immigration and increase migration.”
Home Office figures show the number of illegal workers increased by 63 per cent in the 12 months to September, from 5,043, and 8,232 illegal workers were arrested.
Ministers are also working with companies Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to address abuse concerns in the industry and increase identity checks to combat account sharing.
The Home Office also agreed in July to share the locations of asylum hotels with food distribution companies to combat hotspots of suspected illegal work.
The action also comes as the Government’s new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill becomes law on Tuesday; This law includes measures to close a “loophole” where temporary, temporary or subcontracted workers also have to prove their status.
Employers who fail to carry out inspections could face up to five years in prison, a £60,000 fine for each illegal worker they employ and the closure of their business.
