Illegal working activity between 14 to 17 November 2025 and 25 to 27 November 2025
Updated 4 December 2025
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This note provides statistics relating to Immigration Enforcement activity to tackle illegal employment in the UK. It is intended to provide the public with clear and timely information in an area of high public interest.
Immigration Enforcement teams undertook an intensification through November targeting illegal working hotspots by asylum claimants, with a focus on the gig economy and migrants working illegally as delivery riders. Between 14 to 17 and 25 to 27 November Immigration Enforcement officers, together with wider law enforcement partners, conducted 165 illegal working visits which led to 171 arrests. Of those arrested, 60 people were detained for removal from the UK.
The operation was supported by police forces across the UK, with officers seizing vehicles and cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025 Immigration Enforcement have increased illegal working visits by 51% and arrests on illegal working visits by 63% compared to the same period 12 months prior.
The data and statistics contained within this notice are provisional and were taken from live operational systems on 3 December 2025, and as a result figures are subject to further revision and change.