The UK has intensified its fight against illegal employment, and Indians are among 171 delivery riders caught in a nationwide crackdown. Immigration Enforcement teams carried out Operation Equalise over seven days last month. They checked rider documents across towns, cities and rural areas.
Officers made several arrests in London and Norwich. In Newham, they stopped riders on November 17. They arrested four men from India and Bangladesh for illegal work. Officers then detained them for removal. On November 25, teams carried out another operation in Norwich. They arrested three Indian riders. Two now face removal, while the third received strict immigration bail.
The Home Office linked these operations to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s wider reforms. The government wants to raise deportations and disrupt illegal jobs. It reported record action last year with over 11,000 checks and 8,000 arrests.
Minister Alex Norris said illegal workers should expect arrest and removal. He also met delivery giants like Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats. They discussed stronger checks, including facial recognition and hotspot tracking.
A new immigration law now supports these efforts. It increases penalties for employers and closes loopholes that allowed illegal gig work.
