Illegal migrants suspected of working as delivery riders in the gig economy have been taken into custody in a raid at a caravan site in Bromley, the Home Office has said.
Officers from the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement team and the Metropolitan Police swooped on Croydon Road shortly after 4.30 a.m. on Thursday.
Related posts
A total of 18 people, nine women and nine men of Brazilian, Polish, and Czech descent, were arrested at the site for overstaying in the UK and admitting to illegal work.
According to the Home Office, an inquiry at the location discovered that some of the individuals had been “substituting” for legitimate delivery riders and performing food deliveries on their behalf while not legally permitted to work in the UK.
Eight of the arrested people have been imprisoned pending their expulsion from the UK.
The Home Office stated that the remaining ten have been held on “strict immigration bail” pending further investigation.
“We are cracking down on illegal workers and increasing removals of those who have no right to be here,” Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris stated.
“That is why we have increased our immigration enforcement activity to its highest level in British history, removing the incentives that attract unlawful migrants to the UK.
“My message is clear: illegal workers will be swiftly arrested, detained and removed wherever possible.”
Immigration Enforcement Inspector Kelly Griffiths stated, “I hope this raid sends a clear message that those who engage in illegal work will face the full force of the law.”
“We will continue to work around the clock to ensure our immigration rules are respected and enforced.”
Until today, companies hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers, including those in the delivery industry, have not been legally compelled to verify their right to work.
According to the Home Office, the new Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Act aims to close the loophole.
Companies hiring workers in the gig economy would be legally obligated to conduct checks to ensure they are eligible to work in the UK.
Failure to do so might result in penalties such as fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications, and up to five-year jail terms, according to the Home Office.
