More than 1,250 people suspected of working illegally have been arrested in London since the beginning of 2026 as the Home Office intensifies immigration enforcement operations across the country. Immigration Enforcement teams have carried out raids on businesses and other premises across the capital as part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal working. The Home Office said enforcement activity across the UK has doubled over the past two years, with thousands of visits and arrests carried out during the first half of 2026. Restaurants, construction sites, cleaning businesses and delivery operations are among the sectors targeted by officers.
15 detained following Westminster restaurant visits
In one London operation, Immigration Enforcement officers detained 15 people following multiple visits to a Lebanese restaurant in Westminster. The premises subsequently had its licence revoked in February. A further 18 people suspected of working illegally in construction and cleaning roles were detained during an operation at a caravan site in Bromley in March. Morenike Weinand, Immigration, Enforcement and Compliance lead for Central London, said: “Our enforcement activity continues day in, day out, across London. “We want our communities to know we are cracking down on this illegal activity and ensuring businesses play by the rules.”
Almost 4,800 arrests across UK in six months
Home Office figures show Immigration Enforcement teams carried out 7,270 illegal-working visits across the UK during the first half of 2026. That represents a 31 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025. The operations resulted in 4,756 arrests. According to the Home Office, around 17,000 arrests have now been made since July 2024. The number of people identified as illegal workers who were subsequently returned to their home countries has also increased by 50 per cent, reaching 2,357.
More than 900 businesses targeted in week-long operation
The figures follow a major week-long operation against organised immigration crime carried out across the UK in June. Immigration Enforcement worked alongside 39 police forces during the crackdown. Officers visited more than 900 businesses and made 269 immigration-related arrests. The Home Office said 57 of those arrested were linked to small boat arrivals. Nine arrests were also made during operations at residential addresses in Southall and Wembley, where individuals were suspected of working illegally as delivery drivers.
Home Secretary: ‘Nowhere to hide’
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Illegal working undercuts honest workers and legal businesses. “This government has put more resources into Immigration Enforcement to crack down on it. “This surge in enforcement activity takes us to the highest level in British history. Illegal workers and rogue employers have nowhere to hide.” Further changes affecting employers are due to come into force from October. Companies employing people through gig-economy and zero-hours arrangements will be legally required to carry out checks confirming that people working in their name have the right to work in the UK. Employers who fail to carry out the required checks could face substantial penalties. Sanctions can include fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualification and, in the most serious cases, prison sentences of up to five years. The Home Secretary has also announced plans to double the Immigration Enforcement budget by 2028/29 and increase the size of its workforce by 60 per cent.
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