Jessica O'ConnorHundreds of arrests have been made across the UK following a week-long crackdown on riders working illegally for delivery firms.
Under ‘Operation Equalize’, the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams launched a nationwide intensification week of activity targeting illegal working hotspots, with a focus on the gig economy and migrants working as delivery riders.
Between the 20th and 27th July 2025, a total of 1,780 individuals were stopped and spoken to, leading to 280 arrests for illegal working activity.
As a direct result of this operation, 53 individuals are now having their asylum support reviewed, which could result in their support being suspended or withdrawn.
This follows warnings from ministers last month that anyone caught abusing the immigration system could face having their asylum support ceased, such as entitlement to accommodation or payments.
Those caught working illegally face removal from the UK.
The Home Office confirmed that Immigration Enforcement teams will receive a £5m funding boost to ramp up illegal working intensification activity even further.
The funding, taken from the £100m investment for border security announced earlier this week, will contribute to a surge in enforcement visits over the coming months.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: “Illegal working undermines our border security and we’re cracking down hard on it.
“That’s why we have intensified our enforcement activity right across the UK to crack down on those who think they can evade immigration and employment laws in the UK.
“This Government is making sure rules are respected and enforced – this operation is just one example of our relentless efforts to bear down on organised immigration crime at every level in our communities.”
In addition to the arrests made as part of Operation Equalize, 51 businesses, including car washes, restaurants and retail premises, were issued with Civil Penalty Referral Notices.
This could lead to hefty fines if they are found to have employed illegal workers without carrying out the necessary pre-employment checks.
Police forces supported the operation across the UK, seizing 71 vehicles, including 58 e-bikes, as well as £8,000 in cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act and around £460,000 worth of illicit cigarettes.
Eddy Montgomery, director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at the Home Office, said: “We continue to intensify our activity against those who think they can get away with working illegally.
“My teams have been taking action around the clock, all across the country and I thank them for their hard work, co-operation and skill in dealing with this challenging issue.
“I welcome the additional funding which will allow us to strengthen our enforcement efforts against illegal working further, to ensure those fuelling it are caught.”
