MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 6 July 2026
Dozens of small boat arrests in organised immigration crackdown on UK high streets
Dozens of suspects who entered the UK on small boats have been arrested as part of a crackdown on organised immigration crime across the UK.
The nationwide operation by police and Immigration Enforcement saw 362 arrests - with 57 of those known to have entered the UK by small boat.
Officers also seized over £1m in cash, over £700,000 in illegal tobacco, vapes and cigarettes, 92 cars and 31 e-bikes.
The intelligence led operation, under the Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce, saw the National Police Chiefs’ Council working closely with police forces alongside agencies including the Home Office, Immigration Enforcement and Trading Standards.
Between Monday 15 June and Saturday 20 June 2026, the operation focused on disrupting activity linked to organised immigration crime at premises such as barber shops, vape shops, car washes, food production, and nail salons.
Criminal gangs often target these businesses as they provide opportunities to conceal illegal working, to exploit vulnerable migrants, and to launder proceeds of crime.
The operation included:
- Involvement from 39 police forces and 177 deployments across the UK, with activity based on Home Office and local force intelligence.
- Law enforcement partners from the Home Office, Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards, National Crime Agency, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, Fair Work Agency, Department of Work and Pension, and charities including GAIN and Justice and Care.
- Visits to 911 businesses/premises by police and Immigration Enforcement.
- Over 4,000 encounters with individuals at premises visited.
- Over 1,000 vehicles stopped.
As a result of the operation:
- 362 arrests made, of which 269 were immigration arrests.
- 57 immigration arrests of the 269 – 21%- entered the UK by small boat.
- Over £1m in cash seized.
- Over £700,000 (street value) of illegal tobacco, cigarettes and vapes seized.
- 73 civil penalty referral notices were issued to businesses, with a maximum possible penalty of £60,000 per illegal worker.
- £131,000 (street value) of drugs seized.
- 92 cars and 31 e-bikes and scooters seized.
Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce lead, DCC Wendy Gunney, said:
“Thanks to the collective power of police and Home Office organised immigration crime intelligence, we have been able to target businesses on our high streets involved in money laundering, drug trafficking and distribution, modern slavery and human trafficking.
“This multi-agency activity sends a clear message to organised crime gangs that law enforcement agencies are working together to tackle illegal trade within our communities, and to bring offenders to justice.
“Over one week alone, collective efforts have led to more than 350 arrests, £1m in cash seized along with over £700,000 worth of illegal tobacco, vapes and cigarettes. We are also in the process of considering civil penalties as we have targeted business owners, their business models and those connected with employing migrants through illegal working.
“We will not tolerate exploitation within the UK, and we are determined to target the business owners who openly encourage this.
“Organised immigration crime is often hidden in plain sight, and we are urging the public to report anything that doesn’t feel right in businesses on their streets, or if they are concerned about someone’s welfare.
“Reporting can help protect people and catch those responsible by supporting police to gather intelligence that builds a picture of what is happening in our communities.
“We take all information from the public seriously and will act upon it. You can raise concerns by contacting your local police force online or by calling 101, or report via the Home Office endorsed charity Stop the Traffick.”
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris said:
“These results are yet another example of targeted collaboration between the police, Immigration Enforcement, and other partners, to crack down on organised immigration crime.
“We are using every lever we have to loosen the grip of criminal gangs on our high streets.
“This specific action comes alongside illegal working visits and arrests being at their highest level in British history, and our action to return nearly 70,000 people with no right to be here since coming into power.”
Notes to Editors:
Spotting the signs of potential organised immigration crime exploitation:
- No access to ID documents.
- Physical or psychological abuse.
- Appearing frightened and avoiding eye contact.
- Debt bonded – paid less than minimum wage/ not paid.
- Transported to and from work in vans, often in groups.
- Being picked up and dropped off to work at unusual times.
- Working very long hours.
- Looking as it they have not had enough to eat.
- Wearing the same clothes every day and few personal belongings.
- Poor accommodation/overcrowding.
- No formal contract of employment.
- Inadequate work equipment.
- Often accompanied/ chaperoned.
- Being spoken for.
- May not know their own address.
- Poor language skills.
How to report:
- If people see something that doesn’t look right, or if are worried about someone, they should report to their local police force online or by calling 101.
- In an emergency, please call 999 and in non-emergency situations, call101.
- Concerns can also be reported via the Home Office endorsed charity Stop the Traffick or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.