2 days ago
Illegal Channel migrant delivery riders ARRESTED as cops swoop on major asylum hotel after Sun expose
IMMIGRATION cops began cracking down on illegal delivery riders yesterday — after The Sun blew the lid on a nationwide racket.
Asylum seekers suspected of earning from Just Eat takeaway drops while claiming taxpayer handouts had phones and bikes seized in the London swoop.
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The operation lasted several hours and led to a number of arrests for illegal working and breaching bail conditions.
Ministers were jolted into action by our investigation into the shameless criminality of asylum seekers earning cash from food drop-offs while living on taxpayer handouts.
One rider, who had his mobile taken by an officer, denied working for a food firm before the phone rang, and the officer asked him: 'Why are Deliveroo calling you now then?'
Bosses from the firm, plus Just Eat and Uber Eats, were last night hauled into the Home Office for a dressing down. They have now pledged to flush out their illegal workers with stricter vetting.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper vowed to ramp up the enforcement raids and said: 'I commend The Sun on their campaign to shine a spotlight on illegal working in the food-delivery sector.'
The food giants were read the riot act at the precise moment Immigration Enforcement made their first swoop outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in London.
More than 20 cops in stab vests scrambled from unmarked cars to pounce on migrants as they returned from shifts.
Officers confronted at least ten men, two seen with delivery-branded food bags on bikes.
One, with a scarf covering his face in the 32C heat, screamed at enforcement officers to 'f*** off' and 'respect their rights.'
Cops took screenshots from phones, and told the men to open delivery apps so evidence could be collected.
Undercover delivery driver investigation
Some were released back to their accommodation. One swigged from a bottle of Captain Morgan rum as he moaned about the 'rubbish food' at the hotel and complained he was only given 'rice and tuna.'
A second swoop at 4pm saw one cyclist put into an unmarked custody van.
Immigration cops were seen sliding items, including what appeared to be a phone, into an evidence bag after searching the bearded migrant and his bike's pannier bags.
A third enforcement team was still at the hotel last night.
By 6pm there had been a number of arrests for illegal working and breaching bail conditions.
They included nationals from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Despite the raids, the migrants will still likely continue to stay in taxpayer-funded accommodation to press on with their asylum claims.
In recent days we exposed how asylum seekers get delivery work within ten minutes on social media groups dedicated to flogging delivery accounts to 'sub-contractors'.
Squalid reality of workers
By Bas Javid, Director of Immigration Enforcement
MIGRANTS sleeping in cramped and overheated caravans, being paid far below minimum wage.
Employers forcing people to work in dangerous construction sites or dirty kitchens for less than £1 an hour.
This is the reality of illegal working in the UK.
The Sun's investigation has been highlighting migrants earning money by working illegally as riders for takeaway firms.
Anyone who employs illegal workers, either knowingly or through ignorance of the law, undermines our entire immigration system and economy. That's why my officers and I are using every avenue to put a stop to it.
After today's meeting with Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eats, all three firms have now pledged to increase the number of facial verification checks over the next 90 days to clamp down on illicit account sharing.
Without enforcement, the system breaks down and fuels the business model of people-smuggling gangs who peddle that the UK is a land of milk and honey.
Rules need to be enforced and it's our job to ensure we work hard to do just that. Since July 5 last year to May 31, arrests are up 51 per cent compared with the previous 12 months.
There is no hiding place from our enforcement teams and you will feel the full force of the law.
Hailing our campaign Ms Cooper added: '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.
'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.'
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp added: 'I want to see police action like this happening at scale every day until illegal working has been eradicated.
'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.
'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.'
The firms have pledged to bolster facial verification checks within 90 days to snare chancers.
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
Chris Philp, Tory Shadow Home Secretary
Just Eat said it would conduct checks daily instead of monthly, and 'fully supports' Government efforts to tackle illegal working.
Deliveroo said it takes a 'zero tolerance approach to anyone abusing our platform'.
Uber Eats said it is 'committed to tackling illegal working and welcome continued collaboration with industry and the Home Office.'
Ministers will today start enforcing the first elements of a crackdown on legal migration — raising skilled worker visa requirements to degree level.
The Home Office claims this will see 111 fewer occupations for which foreigners can get papers.
MIGRANT'S SELFIE JOY
By Michael Hamilton
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A BRAZEN migrant holds an expensive smartphone to film himself on a dinghy leaving France for the UK.
The stowaway — in a cap and with an orange lifejacket — raised his arms in apparent celebration as the small boat left Gravelines, near Dunkirk, for the perilous journey.
He was at the front of a dinghy packed with 40 to 50 men which left yesterday morning.
Others on board appeared to sign the V for Victory salutes. Figures showed 585 migrants arrived on Sunday, taking this year's total to over 19,000.
An onlooker said: 'It was shocking to see one appearing to film it or take selfies.'
Reform MP Lee Anderson said: 'This shows migrants acting brazenly and effectively giving us the V-sign.'
Experts fear the weather this week may bring small boat arrivals in 2025 to 20,000.
HOW THE SUN EXPOSED SCANDAL
By Tom Seaward
TUESDAY, JUNE 24 — TAKING US FOR A RIDE
Our investigation reveals how Channel migrants are working as fast-food delivery riders within hours of arriving on the UK's shores.
The scandal goes on while they are being housed at the taxpayer's expense in hotels up and down the country.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 — OFF YER BIKE
The Home Office announces a crackdown on migrants working illegally as food delivery riders. It is claimed that they will be arrested and have their bikes seized in a major move by the authorities.
MONDAY, JUNE 30 — DID SOMEBODY SAY JUST CHEAT
Our reporter — posing as an illegal Channel migrant — was able to rent a Just Eat courier account and made a delivery within minutes — despite Home Office promises of a crackdown.
