The government said arrests by immigration enforcement teams had risen in every region of the UK, with the largest number of arrests in London, the West Midlands and south-west England.<\/p>\n
In London, more than 2,100 arrests were made last year, a 47% rise compared to 2024. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, more than 1,100 arrests were made in both the West Midlands and south-west England, a rise of 76% and 91% respectively.<\/p>\n
In Wales, 1,320 raids were carried out last year, resulting in 649 arrests – a rise of 103% and 85% respectively.<\/p>\n
In Scotland there were 695 raids leading to 400 arrests – a rise of 61% and 49% respectively.<\/p>\n
In Northern Ireland, 187 raids led to 234 arrests – a rise of 76% and 169% respectively.<\/p>\n
Among the businesses raided were a warehouse in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, on 25 November, where 13 people were arrested, with 11 Brazilian and Romanian nationals detained for removal from the UK.<\/p>\n
Other examples included a raid on a construction site in Swindon on 16 December, which led to 30 arrests of Indian and Albanian men, who were nearly all detained for removal.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a raid on a market at Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey on 11 December resulted in 11 arrests.<\/p>\n
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “There is no place for illegal working in our communities.<\/p>\n
“That is why we have surged enforcement activity to the highest level in British history so illegal migrants in the black economy have nowhere to hide.<\/p>\n
“I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders.”<\/p>\n
The surge in raids followed an extra \u00a35m of funding for Immigration Enforcement last year.<\/p>\n