UK arrests 280 in crackdown on illegal delivery riders

9/8/2025 12:16

British authorities arrested almost one in five people they checked in a week-long crackdown on migrants working illegally as delivery riders last month, the government's interior ministry said on Saturday.



Immigration enforcement officers stopped and questioned 1,780 individuals between July 20 and 27 and 280 people were arrested, the interior ministry said, adding asylum support was being reviewed for 53 of those detained.



The operation was part of a push by the government to tackle illegal migration which also includes new legal requirements for companies to verify workers' immigration status.



Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing pressure to show voters he can counter illegal immigration with support rising for Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.



"This government is making sure rules are respected and enforced," border security minister Angela Eagle said.



As well as the arrests, civil penalty notices were issued to 51 businesses, including car washes and restaurants, which could face fines for employing illegal workers, the ministry said.