UK Arrests 171 Delivery Riders in Nationwide Illegal-Working Operation
The Home Office says a week-long enforcement sweep has led to 171 arrests of delivery riders suspected of working without the right to work, with many now facing removal from the UK.
Nationwide Operation Leads to 170+ Rider Arrests
A nationwide immigration enforcement operation has resulted in more than 170 delivery riders being arrested across towns and cities throughout the UK, after officers identified individuals believed to be working without valid permission.
The arrests were carried out over a seven-day period in November, with stops recorded in locations including Solihull, Newham and Norwich.
According to officials, 60 of those taken into custody were detained for removal from the UK following further checks on their immigration status.
The development comes as the government escalates measures designed to reduce illegal employment in sectors that rely heavily on flexible gig-economy labour.
Ministers say the activity is part of a wider push to strengthen compliance checks, improve identity verification on delivery platforms and apply new legislative powers that recently took effect.
The changes accompany a broader policy focus on workforce enforcement, migrant rights and employer obligations under UK immigration law.
Enforcement Results and Recent Context
Government data published this autumn shows that immigration enforcement activity has increased significantly compared with the previous year.
Officials reported more than 11,000 workplace visits and over 8,000 arrests across all sectors, representing the highest totals since comparable records began.
The Home Office has also stated that nearly 50,000 people without legal status have been removed from the UK since July 2024 figures that align with regular quarterly immigration enforcement statistics.
In addition, the National Crime Agency has noted a rise in organised-crime-linked labour exploitation, with delivery work sometimes used as a cover for illegal employment or identity fraud.
Platforms have previously raised concerns about account sharing, which can make right-to-work checks harder to monitor.
Taken together, the latest operation underscores the government’s intention to pair on-the-ground enforcement with legislative reform.
Officials and Companies Set Out Their Positions
The Home Office confirmed that Border Security Minister Alex Norris met with leaders from Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to discuss how platforms verify workers’ identities and prevent account misuse.
All three companies say they have expanded security measures in recent years, including facial-recognition spot checks and location-based monitoring to identify unusual activity patterns.
These steps mirror wider industry efforts following past enforcement findings involving subcontracted courier accounts.
Community responses have varied. Some residents welcomed action they believe protects legitimate workers and businesses, while migrant-rights groups emphasised the need for proportionate enforcement and access to legal advice for individuals arrested.
No new statements were issued by the delivery firms beyond existing public commitments to comply with UK right-to-work rules.
What the Developments Mean for Workers and Consumers
For workers, the new enforcement activity reinforces the importance of right-to-work documentation and identity verification on gig-economy apps.
Those who rely on shared or rented courier accounts, an issue previously identified by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration—face heightened risks under the new legal framework.
For consumers, food delivery services are expected to continue operating normally. However, industry bodies have previously warned that tighter verification processes may slow onboarding for new couriers and increase administrative costs for platforms.
Similar checks introduced in other countries, such as France’s ID verification rules for couriers, initially led to temporary reductions in active rider numbers.
Data and Evidence Shaping the Policy Shift
Home Office enforcement figures for 2024–25 show a 63% rise in arrests for suspected illegal working compared with the prior year, alongside a 51% increase in site visits.
The government’s quarterly immigration statistics also outline rising numbers of identity-fraud referrals linked to gig-economy platforms, a factor cited in parliamentary committee hearings on labour-market enforcement.
Meanwhile, the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act granted Royal Assent this week—introduces statutory requirements for right-to-work checks within gig-economy settings.
Employers who fail to complete appropriate checks may face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker, in line with updated penalties that came into force in early 2024.
Practical Information for Affected Workers and Businesses
Individuals working in the UK must hold valid immigration permission that includes the right to work.
The government’s online “View and Prove” service allows workers with digital immigration status to share evidence of their work entitlement with employers.
Delivery platforms also direct riders to provide identity documents through in-app verification tools before accessing shifts.
Businesses hiring self-employed couriers are required to conduct right-to-work checks when legally defined as an employer or contracting entity.
Updated guidance is available on GOV.UK under employer right-to-work checks, which outlines acceptable documents and inspection procedures.
What Officials Say Will Happen Next
With the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act now in force, secondary regulations and updated employer guidance are expected in the coming months.
Delivery platforms are preparing further identity-verification measures to align with the new requirements, and the Home Office has indicated that additional enforcement activity will continue as part of its annual operations.
Significance Of The Enforcement Shift
The operation highlights a significant shift in how the UK regulates work in app-based delivery services, a sector that has expanded rapidly in recent years.
It affects workers who depend on gig-economy income, communities concerned about compliance, and businesses responsible for identity checks.
The developments also provide insight into evolving enforcement priorities within the UK’s immigration system. Observers will continue to watch how platforms, workers and regulators adapt as the new legal framework settles in.
