The UK government has carried out a record-breaking crackdown on illegal working, with enforcement raids soaring by 77% and arrests jumping 83% in the past 18 months. The surge in activity follows the Labour government's entry into power in July 2024.
Unprecedented Scale of Enforcement
According to official figures, more than 17,400 raids were conducted by Home Office immigration enforcement teams between July 2024 and the end of 2025. These operations targeted businesses where illegal migrant work is often suspected, including nail bars, car washes, barber shops, and takeaway outlets.
This aggressive enforcement led to over 12,300 arrests of individuals suspected of working illegally. The government stated these individuals were attempting to undercut legitimate workers and "hide in plain sight" within the black economy. The Home Office confirmed this represents the highest level of arrests and raids since records began in 2019.
Regional Hotspots and Removal Numbers
The crackdown has been felt most acutely in three specific regions. London saw more than 2,100 arrests in 2025 alone, marking a 47% increase compared to 2024. The West Midlands and the South West both recorded over 1,100 arrests each, representing staggering rises of 76% and 91% respectively.
Of those detained, 1,726 people have been returned to their countries of origin. This is a 35% increase on the 1,283 removals carried out in the previous 18-month period. Notable operations included the arrest of 13 people at a Shoreham-by-Sea warehouse in November, leading to 11 Brazilian and Romanian nationals being detained for removal. In December, 30 Indian and Albanian men were arrested at a Swindon construction site, with nearly all detained for removal.
Government Strategy and Statements
Ministers believe the crackdown is crucial to reducing the "pull factors" that encourage people to enter the UK illegally and subsequently claim asylum. The enforcement drive has been backed by a £5 million investment specifically for arresting, detaining, and removing migrants working illegally.
Since September, officers have also been equipped with body-worn cameras to help publicise arrests and prosecutions. The government has simultaneously introduced tighter right-to-work checks, forcing casual, temporary, and subcontracted workers to prove their immigration status.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "There is no place for illegal working in our communities. 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. I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders."
The record action comes just over two months after Ms Mahmood admitted her department was "not yet fit for purpose," while claiming the crackdown on illegal working was "starting to work." She criticised the level of enforcement under the previous Conservative government.
