Illegal migrants suspected of working as delivery riders in the gig economy have been arrested in a police raid on a caravan park in Bromley.
Officers from Immigration Enforcement and the Metropolitan Police stormed the site on Croydon Road at just after 4.30am on Thursday.
A total of 18 migrants – nine women and nine men of Brazilian, Polish and Czech nationality – were arrested for overstaying in Britain and admitting to illegal working.
An investigation conducted at the site revealed some of them had been ‘substituting’ for legitimate delivery riders and completing food deliveries on their behalf without the right to work, the Home Office said.
Eight of the arrested migrants have been detained pending their removal from the country.
The remaining ten have been placed on ‘strict immigration bail’ pending further investigation, according to the Home Office.
Alex Norris, Border Security and Asylum Minister, said: ‘We are coming down hard on illegal working and ramping up removals of those with no right to be here.’
‘That is why we have surged our immigration enforcement activity to the highest level in British history as we remove the incentives drawing illegal migrants to the UK.
An Immigration Enforcement van at the site of the caravan park where 18 illegal migrants were arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning
‘My message is clear, illegal workers will be swiftly arrested, detained and removed wherever possible.’
Immigration Enforcement inspector Kelly Griffiths said: ‘I hope this raid sends a clear message that those involved in illegal working 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 now, companies hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers, including in the delivery sector, have not legally been required to check their right to work.
But the Government is seeking to close the loophole through the new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act.
It would mean companies hiring people in the gig economy will be legally required to carry out checks they are eligible to work in Britain.
Failing to do so could result in penalties including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years, according to the Home Office.
Large numbers of newly arrived migrants have been found to be working for takeaways companies – flouting a ban on paid employment for asylum seekers.
Some of the illegal migrants arrested had been ‘substituting’ for legitimate delivery riders and completing food deliveries on their behalf without the right to work
And last October Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood launched a consultation on plans to force food delivery apps to carry out stricter checks on their riders’ right to work.
Under existing laws, right-to-work checks to verify someone is eligible to work in the UK are needed only for companies with traditional employer to employee contracts.
But ministers want to close a ‘loophole’ for casual, temporary or subcontracted workers to also have to prove their status.
Ms Mahmood said: ‘Illegal working creates an incentive for people attempting to arrive in this country illegally. No more.
‘Those found to be illegally working in beauty salons, car washes and as delivery drivers will be arrested, detained and removed from this country.
‘I will do whatever it takes to secure Britain’s borders.’