Nearly 20 migrants suspected of working illegally as delivery drivers have been arrested in a dawn raid on a south east London caravan park.
Metropolitan Police and Home Office immigration officers stormed the site in Croydon Road, Bromley shortly after 4.30am on Thursday following a tip off.
In total, nine women and nine men were arrested. They are of Brazilian, Polish and Czech nationality, the Home Office said.
Investigators said checks suggested some of those arrested had been “substituting”, a process where someone uses a legitimate delivery rider’s account to complete food deliveries in their place while having no legal right to work in Britain.
Officials said the suspects had overstayed visas in the UK and admitted to illegal working.
Eight of those arrested have now been detained while arrangements are made for them to be removed from Britain.
The remaining ten people were released on immigration bail while further inquiries are carried out.
The operation comes as part of a wider government crackdown aimed clamping down on illegal working and ramping up deportations.
The Home Office has targeted workers in the gig-economy across the country, including in major operations in London.
Dozens of delivery riders were arrested after being found working illegally during an immigration enforcement crackdown in December.
Across the UK there has been an 83% rise in arrests linked to illegal working and a 77% increase in raids.
London saw the highest level of activity last year, with more than 2,700 visits leading to nearly 2,200 arrests, up 35% and 47% respectively compared with 2024.
Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris 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.
“My message is clear, illegal workers will be swiftly arrested, detained and removed wherever possible.”
Immigration Enforcement Inspector Kelly Griffiths added: “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.”
The government is also planning tougher rules for companies using gig-economy workers.
Under new laws, firms hiring people for delivery or similar work will have to check they are legally allowed to work in the UK.
Bosses who fail to carry out the checks could face fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director bans and even prison sentences of up to five years.
