Officers have been out in force across the UK to disrupt rogue
employers who hire migrants illegally and exploit vulnerable
people, and to address the promise of illegal jobs that are used
by criminal smuggling gangs to sell spaces in small boats
crossing the Channel.
Particular focus has been on targeting car washes, nail bars,
supermarkets and construction sites suspected of hiring illegal
workers and subjecting them to squalid conditions and illegal
working hours at below minimum wage.
Border security is a core part of the government's mission-driven
Plan for Change. Since taking office, ministers have immediately
redeployed 1,000 additional people into Immigration Enforcement.
As part of activity to tackle illegal working, Immigration
Enforcement also plays a critical safeguarding role, working
closely with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and other
organisations to allow employees to report labour exploitation.
More biometric fingerprinting kits will also be deployed to the
frontline, allowing officers to check those they apprehend in
illegal working raids against police databases on the spot,
rather than having to take them to local police stations.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame MP said:
Dismantling criminal gangs and restoring order to our asylum
system is a key part of our Plan for Change.
That's exactly why we are clamping down on illegal working to
prevent this abuse of our immigration system and safeguard those
who are sold a false promise about their ability to live and work
here.
Since the election, arrests and enforcement visits have
deliberately increased, demonstrating that we will not tolerate
any hiding place from law enforcement.
Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration
Enforcement Eddy Montgomery said:
This activity demonstrates our laser focus on holding employers
to account and safeguarding those who are made to work in squalid
conditions.
I am proud of the teams across the country, for their hard work
in accelerating this activity in recent months to prevent
exploitation and ensure those who break the law face
consequences.
London
Nearly 1,000 enforcement visits have been carried out across the
capital since the summer, thanks to a crackdown on illegal
working by the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement team.
Between July and November, 996 visits resulted in 770 arrests and
462 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals. This means
the employers could face a fine of up to £60,000 per worker if
found guilty.
During one recent visit to a hotel in Kensington, 6 agency staff
were arrested, with 5 on suspicion of illegal working and one
identified as having overstayed their visa.
This surge in activity led to almost 100 extra visits compared to
January to July under the previous government.
East of England
Between July and November, 191 visits resulted in 132 arrests and
94 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals in the east
of England. This means the employers could face a fine of up to
£60,000 per worker if found guilty.
During one recent visit to a restaurant in Chelmsford, 6 arrests
were made on suspicion of illegal working. Five further arrests
were made at a restaurant in Stowmarket, Suffolk.
The surge in activity represents a 26% rise in visits in the east
of England compared to January to July under the previous
government.
Midlands
Between July and November, 665 visits resulted in 427 arrests and
305 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals in the
Midlands. This means the employers could face a fine of up to
£60,000 per worker if found guilty.
During one visit to a factory in Stratford Upon Avon, 11 arrests
were made on suspicion of illegal working offences.
The surge in activity represents a 13% rise in visits in the
Midlands compared to January to July under the previous
government.
South-central Engand
Between July and November, 260 visits resulted in 213 arrests and
165 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals in
south-central England. This means the employers could face a fine
of up to £60,000 per worker if found guilty.
During one visit to a car garage in Portsmouth, 7 arrests were
made on suspicion of illegal working offences.
The surge in activity represents a 63% rise in visits in
south-central England compared to January to July under the
previous government.
South-east England
Between July and November, 278 visits resulted in 173 arrests and
130 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals in
south-east England. This means the employers could face a fine of
up to £60,000 per worker if found guilty.
During one recent visit to a distribution centre in Thurrock, 5
arrests were made on suspicion of a range of offences including
illegal working and breach of bail conditions. In addition, 5
arrests were also made at a nail salon for illegal working
offences.
The activity demonstrates this government's commitment to ramping
up immigration enforcement in south-east England and preventing
people from working in the illegal economy, either by choice or
coercion.
