Largest crackdown on illegal workers since records began

Arrests for illegal working have soared to their highest levels since records began, following an uplift in enforcement action.

Under Operation Sterling, the government invested £5 million into Immigration Enforcement, to target, arrest, detain, deport and return illegal workers in takeaways, fast food drivers, beauty salons and car washes.

New figures show more than 8,000 illegal migrants have been arrested after 11,000 raids were carried out by Immigration Enforcement from October 2024 to September 2025.

Marking the largest enforcement crackdown on illegal working since records began, the data reveals a significant increase year on year of 63% and 51% for arrests and visits, respectively. Over 1,050 foreign nationals encountered on these operations have been removed from the country.