Seven Indian nationals among nine arrested in UK crackdown on illegal work at DPD depots

Seven Indians held in crackdown on illegal work at UK parcel depots

LONDON: Seven Indian nationals working for international parcel delivery company DPD in the UK are among nine suspected illegal workers arrested by immigration enforcement officers at multiple parcel delivery depots. Immigration enforcement officers raided DPD depots in Basingstoke, Hampshire and Newbury, Berkshire early Thursday morning and conducted right to work checks on over 100 individuals. Seven Indian nationals, one Ghanaian national and one Pakistani national were identified as immigration offenders. One Indian national was arrested at DPD Newbury and six Indian nationals were arrested at DPD Basingstoke. All have been placed on immigration bail, subject to strict conditions, while further inquiries take place. If they are found to have been working unlawfully, they will be removed from the UK. The home office said: “Work will now begin to establish who the liable party is for employing the individuals. An employer in breach of the law can receive a fine of up to £60,000 (Rs 76 lakh) per worker.” Since coming to power in July 2024, Labour has increased illegal working enforcement activity to the highest level in British history, with an 83% rise in arrests and 77% increase in raids across the UK. Govt have also removed nearly 70,000 people with no right to work in Britain since taking office. The home office said the operation was part of the home secretary’s sweeping reforms to scale up removals and to remove incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain. DPD said it had assisted in the removal of “a small number of people” from their depots. “We have robust checking processes in place, and we will be reviewing them as well as those of relevant third-party recruitment agencies and suppliers,” DPD said.