Illegal working activity between 20 July and 26 July 2025
Updated 9 August 2025
漏 Crown copyright 2025
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Under the government鈥檚 Plan for Change to restore order to the immigration system and tougher enforcement of the rules, Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams undertook a weeklong intensification targeting illegal working hotspots, with a focus on the gig economy and migrants working as delivery riders.聽聽
Between 20 and 26 July 2025 Immigration Enforcement officers, together with wider law enforcement partners, conducted 230 illegal working visits which led to 280 arrests.聽
The operation was supported by police forces across the UK, with officers seizing vehicles, illicit cigarettes and cash, under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Between 5 July 2024 and 28 June 2025 Immigration Enforcement have already increased illegal working visits by 48% compared to the previous year.
Illegal working visits (20 July to 26 July 2025) by region
| Region | Visits |
|---|---|
| East of England | 6 |
| London | 32 |
| Midlands | 35 |
| North East, Yorkshire and Humber | 29 |
| North West | 23 |
| Northern Ireland | 24 |
| Threat Response and Volume Crime | 16 |
| Scotland | 22 |
| South Central | 9 |
| South East | 9 |
| Wales and West of England | 28 |
| Total | 233 |
Illegal working arrests (20 July to 26 July 2025) by region
| Region | Arrests |
|---|---|
| East of England | 5 |
| London | 72 |
| Midlands | 41 |
| North East, Yorkshire and Humber | 20 |
| North West | 38 |
| Northern Ireland | 14 |
| Threat Response and Volume Crime | 19 |
| Scotland | 13 |
| South Central | 12 |
| South East | 4 |
| Wales & West of England | 42 |
| Total | 280 |