The UK government announced on Monday that hundreds of migrants were arrested in January as part of a nationwide operation against illegal working.
Enforcement teams carried out inspections at 828 locations, including nail bars, car washes, and restaurants, resulting in 609 arrests. The number of arrests marked a 73 per cent increase compared to January last year.
Those arrested made the journey to the UK through a mix of routes, including by crossing the Channel and by overstaying legitimately-granted visas, as per a report by the BBC.
The home office said that while enforcement action took place across different sectors, a large part of the operation focused on restaurants, takeaways, cafes, and the food, drink, and tobacco industry. One Indian restaurant in Humberside, northern England, also saw seven people arrested and four detained.
UK home secretary Yvette Cooper described the action as a “UK-wide blitz” and said her department’s immigration enforcement teams had a record-breaking January.
“The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken,” Cooper said.
“Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in a small boat, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people, the immigration system, and our economy,” she added.
The crackdown comes as the Labour government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill moves to its second reading in the UK Parliament. The bill aims to take stronger action against criminal groups involved in illegal migration.
According to home office data, from July 5 last year to January 31 this year, arrests related to illegal working rose by 38 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year. A total of 1,090 civil penalty notices were issued, with employers facing fines of up to £60,000 per worker if found liable.
Eddy Montgomery, director of enforcement, compliance and crime at the home office, said: “These figures demonstrate the commitment of my teams to crack down on those who think they can flout our immigration system.
“I hope it sends a strong signal that there is no hiding place from the law, and we will continue to ramp up our activity to ensure those involved face the full consequences. We also know that many people who end up working illegally are often subjected to extremely poor conditions, so we will continue to do all we can to safeguard and protect the most vulnerable.”
The UK home office said it is also working with organisations to help employees report labour exploitation.
In January, the government said it removed more foreign criminals and immigration offenders than at any time since 2018. Since the general election in July 2024, 16,400 people have been removed from the UK.
Charter flights have taken immigration offenders to different countries, including four of the biggest migrant return flights in UK history, which carried more than 800 people. The government said those removed include individuals convicted of drug offences, theft, rape, and murder.
The home office also launched a campaign in Vietnam and Albania using social media adverts to counter misinformation spread by people smugglers. The adverts share stories of migrants who entered the UK illegally and faced debt and exploitation.
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is designed to give law enforcement more powers to act against criminal networks, including allowing police to seize mobile phones from people who enter the UK illegally before their arrest.
The opposition Conservative Party has criticised the bill. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp called it a “weak bill that won’t stop the boats” and said stronger measures were needed.
“Under new leadership [of Kemi Badenoch], the Conservatives are coming up with effective and deliverable reforms to cut immigration. Our country is our home, not a hotel,” Philp said.
