Archive · 6 Dec 2025
UK Detains 171 Delivery Riders in Illegal-Working Sweep
The UK government recently conducted a big operation called 'Operation Equalise' to catch people working illegally.
They stopped and checked delivery riders in many places across the country.
They found 171 riders, including some from India, Bangladesh, and China, who were not allowed to work in the UK.
These riders were arrested and will be sent back to their home countries.
The government says they are doing this to stop illegal working and make sure people follow the rules.
They also met with big food delivery companies to help them check their workers better.
The UK has new laws now that make it easier to catch and punish people who employ workers illegally.
UK detained 171 delivery riders, including Indians, in a nationwide sweep for illegal working.
Operation Equalise was conducted over seven days in November, checking riders in various locations.
Four riders were arrested in Newham, and three in Norwich, with most detained for deportation.
The crackdown is part of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's reforms to tighten illegal migration rules.
New laws expand right-to-work checks to the gig economy, with severe penalties for non-compliance.
- Who
- UK Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams
- What
- Detained 171 delivery riders for illegal working
- When
- Over seven days in November
- Where
- Across cities and towns in the UK, including Newham and Norwich
- Why
- Part of a crackdown on illegal migration and tightening rules on illegal working
- Number of Detained Riders
- 171
- Nationalities Involved
- Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese
- Operation Name
- Operation Equalise
- Duration of Operation
- Seven days in November
- Key Locations
- Newham, Norwich, other cities and towns
- Total Checks Last Year
- Over 11,000
- Total Arrests Last Year
- 8,000
- People Removed Since July 2024
- Nearly 50,000
