Moment Home Office officials arrest 10 'illegal workers' during immigration raids at Evri depots

By OLIVIA CHRISTIE, NEWS REPORTER Published: 20:34, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 20:34, 17 July 2026 This is the moment immigration officers arrested ten people suspected of working illegally in the UK during raids at Evri depots.  The Home Office carried out three operations at different warehouses as part of an effort to crack down on illegal working in the delivery sector.  At an Evri base in Redditch in the West Midlands officers arrested a Pakistani national on July 8 for overstaying a visa.  The following day at Evri in Croydon, three Brazilian nationals, two Pakistani nationals and an Indian national were arrested for various immigration offences. Meanwhile, on July 15 at Evri in Crawley, three further arrests were made of a Gambian national, a Ghanaian national and a Pakistani national for overstaying visas.  Employers can face fines of up to £60,000 per individual if it is found they hired illegal workers and failed to conduct the relevant pre-employment checks. All the people who were arrested at Evri depots have been placed on immigration bail, subject to strict conditions, while further inquiries take place.  The Home Office said the Government is now looking to remove them from the UK as soon as possible. The Home Office carried out three operations at different warehouses as part of an effort to crack down on illegal working in the delivery sector. Pictured: Footage from the raid in Crawley On July 15 at Evri in Crawley, three arrests were made of a Gambian national, a Ghanaian national and a Pakistani national for overstaying visas According to the department, it is a common practice for companies in the delivery sector to use subcontractors for their recruitment.  Last year, immigration enforcement made 217 per cent more arrests in companies operating in distribution and delivery services compared to 2024.  In total, 2025 was the highest year on record for illegal working enforcement activity with more than 9,000 arrests and 12,800 raids carried out across the UK.  This constitutes a 60 per cent and 58 per cent rise respectively compared to 2024. Eddy Montgomery, director of enforcement, compliance and crime at the Home Office, said: 'I want to thank my officers up and down the country who carry out these operations every day. 'We are committed to working closely with companies to ensure they are compliant. 'However, we will never hesitate to take enforcement action to crack down on those who flout the law.' 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.  Workers are seen at an Evri depot in Crawley which was raided by immigration officers this week  But from October, companies hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers, including in the delivery sector, will be legally required to carry out checks to confirm anyone working in their name is eligible to work in the UK. Those who fail to do so will face hefty penalties including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years. There is no suggestion at this time that Evri will receive any potential civil penalties as a result of the latest arrests.  Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood previously 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.' An Evri spokesperson said: 'We take our employment responsibilities very seriously, and right-to-work checks are carried out for all employees.  'We remain committed to cooperating fully and constructively with the Home Office in relation to their enquiries.'