Immigration enforcement officers launched coordinated raids on asylum seekers suspected of working illegally for food delivery companies yesterday, seizing phones and bikes in a major London operation.
The crackdown followed a media investigation exposing how asylum seekers were earning cash from Just Eat and Deliveroo drops while claiming taxpayer-funded accommodation.
More than 20 officers in stab vests deployed from unmarked vehicles outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in London, confronting at least ten men returning from delivery shifts.
The operation resulted in multiple arrests for illegal working and breaching bail conditions, with detainees including nationals from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to intensify enforcement raids following the revelations. I commend The Sun on their campaign to shine a spotlight on illegal working in the food-delivery sector,” she said.
We have, today, secured important commitments from major food delivery providers, including Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats, for daily facial recognition checks for drivers that work with them.
During the raids, officers witnessed one rider deny working for a delivery firm before his phone rang. “Why are Deliveroo calling you now then?” an officer asked.
Two cyclists were seen with delivery-branded food bags. One man with a scarf covering his face in 32C heat screamed at officers to “f*** off” and “respect their rights.
Officers took screenshots from phones and ordered suspects to open delivery apps to collect evidence. Some were released back to their accommodation.
A second wave at 4pm saw one bearded cyclist placed into an unmarked custody van after officers searched him and his bike’s pannier bags, sliding items including what appeared to be a phone into evidence bags.
One migrant swigged from a bottle of Captain Morgan rum while complaining about “rubbish food” at the hotel, saying he was only given “rice and tuna.”
Bosses from Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats were summoned to the Home Office for urgent talks coinciding with the enforcement operation.
The firms pledged to strengthen verification checks within 90 days to identify fraudulent workers using shared accounts.
We are also stepping up our enforcement in this area, with plans to seize electric bikes kept outside asylum accommodation, and more raids on hotels or dispersed accommodation where illegal working is suspected to be a problem,” Cooper added.
The investigation revealed asylum seekers could obtain delivery work within ten minutes through social media groups dedicated to selling delivery accounts to “sub-contractors.
Just Eat committed to conducting facial verification checks daily instead of monthly, stating it “fully supports” government efforts to tackle illegal working.
“Deliveroo takes a zero tolerance approach to anyone abusing our platform,” a company spokesperson said.
Uber Eats said it is “committed to tackling illegal working and welcome continued collaboration with industry and the Home Office.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp demanded daily enforcement action. I want to see police action like this happening at scale every day until illegal working has been eradicated,” he said.
This practice creates a pull factor to the UK for illegal immigrants in Europe, and endangers women who may receive a delivery from an unvetted and unknown illegal immigrant who has only just arrived by small boat.
Philp accused the delivery firms of negligence. “Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats should be ashamed of themselves and should feel the full force of the law for what they’ve done.”
Immigration Enforcement has intensified operations nationwide, with arrests for illegal working up 51% since July 2024 compared to the previous year.
Since 5 July last year to 31 May, 9,000 visits resulted in 6,410 arrests across restaurants, nail bars and construction sites.
The migrants detained yesterday will likely remain in taxpayer-funded accommodation while pursuing asylum claims, despite the arrests.
Ministers today began enforcing new restrictions on legal migration, raising skilled worker visa requirements to degree level.
The Home Office claims this will exclude 111 occupations from foreign worker eligibility.
