Tag: exploitation

“YOU’RE GETTING PAID TO TAKE THE RISK”

Young people reveal how adult criminals exploit children to commit crime in Scotland

A new Scotland-wide campaign was launched yesterday warning that adult criminals are grooming and exploiting children to commit crime, enabling them to profit while leaving children to face the risks and consequences.

The campaign, created by Fearless – the youth service of the independent charity Crimestoppers – is shaped by young people with lived experience of crime, exploitation and the justice system. It challenges adults across Scotland to look beyond behaviour and recognise the criminal exploitation of children for what it is: child abuse.

Launching at the Grosvenor Picture Theatre in Glasgow, the campaign includes new films and social media content for young people, parents, carers and professionals, and has been developed with support from Scottish Government, Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce and the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit.

Young people told Fearless that exploitation does not always feel like exploitation from the inside. Adults can use trust, friendship, money, status and protection to draw children into criminal activity, particularly when the child feels other options are limited.

But one young person reflected: “You’re not getting paid to carry or sell the drugs. You’re getting paid to take the risk.”

That insight sits at the heart of the new campaign.

The campaign asks children to look more closely at what is really being offered to them. Criminal exploitation often sees adults profiting, while transferring the greatest risks onto children. The arrest, the violence, the debt, the injury, the criminal record and the consequences are carried by the child, while those directing the activity remain further removed from harm.

Over several months, Fearless listened to young people speak openly about criminal exploitation and the realities they see around them. They talked about violence, arrest, drugs, debt, weapons and being deprived of their liberty. They also spoke about what criminal exploitation appeared to offer and why it could feel difficult to walk away from.

The conversations revealed something many adults struggle to understand. Many young people already know the terrible risks they face. What they challenged Fearless to understand is that awareness of risk is not always enough to help them when the alternative feels like being left with nothing.

The campaign also challenges adults to hold two truths at once.

Some children who are victims of criminal exploitation cause harm – sometimes serious harm. But children can cause harm while also being harmed themselves. It’s not about excusing behaviour – it’s about understanding that there can be a wide range of reasons for offending behaviour, including exploitation.

Fearless is urging adults not to stop at what they can see:

  • To stay curious
  • To consider who is actually benefiting
  • And to ask what might be happening behind the behaviour

The campaign also explores why children do not always feel able to leave these situations.

While fear, threats and violence can be part of criminal exploitation, young people told Fearless that leaving is often about more than what they are escaping. Sometimes it is about what they fear being left without.

As one young person explained: “People don’t leave because there’s nothing there for them. What would they be left with?”

If criminal exploitation appears to offer opportunity, belonging, protection or hope, then safer alternatives must feel real enough to compete.

The campaign argues that it is not enough to tell children what to walk away from – communities, services and trusted adults must also give them something worth walking towards.

Children need more than a route away from harm. They need genuine opportunities, meaningful connections, hope for the future and a sense that they matter.

Lyndsay McDade, Fearless Scotland Manager, said: “I am so grateful to the young people who helped develop this campaign. I asked them to be honest with me, and they were. Never have I been more struck by the level of hopelessness some young people are living with, and yet by their determination to help us understand their reality and get this campaign right.

“Young people, children the same age as my own, shared stories that no child should have to live through. What struck me most was the compassion they showed when talking about other children who were being exploited. They could see the circumstances, pressures and lack of choices facing others, yet they rarely afforded themselves the same understanding.

“Many do not recognise that they are being exploited because what they are experiencing feels normal to them. They often see it as simply the choices they have to make to get by. But those choices are frequently being made in a landscape of limited and harmful alternatives, where what feels like survival comes at a terrible cost and where an adult is manipulating a child’s circumstances for their own gain.

“The people exploiting children should never be offering them what can feel like the strongest sense of opportunity, belonging or hope in their lives. Yet for some children, I fear that is the reality.

“Every child deserves a future bigger than the one their exploiters have planned for them. No child should be written off as too difficult, too risky or too far gone.

“If you know who is exploiting young people, you can speak up 100% anonymously to our charity. At fearless.org, we cannot track your IP address or any contact details that could identify you.”

Children and Young People Minister Siobhian Brown said: “The criminal exploitation of children and young people is an abhorrent crime. Those who are exploited must be recognised as victims of child abuse and given the protection and support they need.

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and Fearless are jointly funding this important campaign, whose powerful messages have been shaped by the voices and experiences of young people themselves.

“The Scottish Government is working to protect children and young people from this type of harm. Our Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy Delivery Plan includes action to reduce the criminalisation of exploited children and implement new child criminal exploitation and cuckooing offences in the Crime and Policing Act 2026.

“We’re also developing Scotland’s approach to contextual safeguarding to protect children and young people from harms posed to them from outside their homes.”

Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said: “Every child deserves to be safe from harm and exploitation. This campaign is seeking to protect children from manipulation and exploitation by criminals involved in drug dealing, shoplifting and other crime, often leaving them to face the risks and consequences alone.

“Listening to the experiences of young people is vital if we are to understand the pressures and vulnerabilities that can place them at risk. I thank Fearless for amplifying those voices and providing a safe space for children to connect and communicate.

“Police Scotland is committed to working with partners to safeguard children, support those affected by exploitation, and ensure those responsible are identified and held accountable.”

To help parents, carers and professionals access further information and support:

Fearless | Criminal Exploitation of Children

Around 300 officers deployed nationwide for Police Scotland’s largest human trafficking operation

Thirty-six people have been arrested, and 14 cannabis cultivations have been discovered following the biggest and most coordinated human trafficking operation that Police Scotland has ever carried out.

The nationally coordinated operation, which took place on Wednesday, 23 September, was targeting a Vietnamese crime group suspected of human trafficking and exploitation and organised immigration crime.

Around 300 officers were engaged in the enforcement action with simultaneous deployments across Scotland, targeting 47 addresses in Aberdeen, Dundee, Falkirk, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. Arrests were also made in Birmingham.

There were 35 warrants served and a number of potential trafficking victims were also recovered from several of the addresses.

Officers from across Police Scotland, led by the National Human Trafficking Unit, worked alongside Home Office Immigration Enforcement and HMRC. Enforcement action took place in Northern Ireland earlier this week.

Detective Superintendent Stevie Bertram, Head of Police Scotland’s National Human Trafficking Unit said: “This enforcement action is the biggest and most coordinated human trafficking operation that we have ever carried out, and was the result of a lengthy investigation, working closely with our partners. We took a coordinated approach and the arrests and seizures are the result of this work.

“Human Trafficking is the illegal trade in human beings for the purpose of commercial exploitation, and it has no place in Scotland. It exists in many of our communities and can involve people who are resident legally in the country. The industry of trafficking people has become so sophisticated that it often goes unnoticed.

“We will target criminals who abuse, control and exploit people, working with partners nationally and internationally to bring offenders to justice, and to raise public awareness to help identify victims and ensure they get the support they need.

“I want to thank all of the officers involved who have worked tirelessly to get to where we are today.

“We will continue to use focused days of action to disrupt and identify those who control, abuse and exploit others to bring them to justice.”

Justice & Care deployed two Victim Navigators, based in Scotland, to assist in Operation Kendrew. The Victim Navigator programme provides independent, specialist support. As a result of their training and professional expertise, the Navigators provide trauma informed support at the point of rescue and beyond, recognising that every victim has lived through a different experience. 

Debi Lloyd, Head of Counter-Trafficking at Justice & Care, adds ”Trauma-informed support is ultimately about recognising the person before the process.

“When somebody begins to trust again, to make their own choices and believe that people will do what they say they will do, that can be incredibly powerful.”

MHRA: No Summer Shortcut for Safe Weight Loss

Healthy weight loss takes time, not shortcuts. As demand for weight-loss medicines continues to rise, the MHRA is reminding people how to use GLP-1 medicines safely, spot illegal sellers and avoid diet changes that could interfere with their medicines

With prescription weight loss medicines being advertised illegally on social media alongside quick-fix slimming claims, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), warns Brits to not let summer slimming put their health at risk. 

From over-dosing on prescription weight-loss meds to buying dangerous fakes online, the MHRA reveals the mistakes that could leave you seriously ill, and the simple steps to lose weight safely. 

1. Follow doctor’s orders if you are prescribed a GLP-1 

If you’ve been prescribed a GLP-1 weight-loss medicine, don’t be tempted to fast-track your weight loss by upping your dose. Semaglutide (Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and liraglutide (Saxenda) should only be taken as prescribed by a healthcare professional.  

Follow doctors’ orders and take your prescribed GLP-1 alongside a healthy diet and a fitness regime. Whether you’re taking it for diabetes management or weight loss, maintaining good nutrition and exercise can help support muscle, bone, and overall health as your calorie intake changes. 

2. Steer Clear of Fake Weight-Loss Meds 

If you’re not eligible for a prescription for weight-loss medicines, don’t be tempted to buy them from unregulated websites or social media sellers. GLP-1 medicines authorised in the UK have only been shown to be safe and effective for people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or more. Buying from rogue sellers is a huge risk. You can’t be sure what’s in the product, and some fake medicines are contaminated with toxic substances. 

Don’t be tempted by the online hype around retatrutide. It has not been authorised for use in the UK, meaning anyone selling this product is doing so illegally. These products haven’t been tested for safety, quality or effectiveness and there’s no guarantee that they even contain retatrutide. You could be putting your health at serious risk. 

Head of the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, Andy Morling, said: “Rogue sellers are driven by profit, not your safety, and the fake medicines they sell could put your health at serious risk.

“These products may not contain the GLP-1 medicine you think you’re buying and could be contaminated with bacteria and other harmful substances.  

“Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true and check the pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. The simple rule for staying safe is that if you’re offered a GLP-1 medicines without the need for a prescription – walk away.” 

3. Check Your Meds Before Changing Your Diet 

Trying to eat more healthily before your holiday? Great – but make sure your diet doesn’t clash with your medication. Always read the patient information leaflet before making dietary changes, as some foods could compromise medicines’ effectiveness. People taking simvastatin to lower their cholesterol should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they slow the rate the body breaks down the medicine, increasing the risk of serious side effects. 

Thinking about intermittent fasting? Remember that some medicines need to be taken with food to work most effectively and lower your risk of side effects. Metformin, used to treat diabetes, and the painkiller naproxen should both be taken with or after food to help prevent stomach upset.  

MHRA’s Chief Safety Officer, Alison Cave said: “There’s no shortcut to safe weight loss. If you’re trying to slim down, follow medical advice, avoid fake medicines and remember that healthy eating and regular exercise are still the safest ways to get in shape for summer.” 

Counterfeit Weight-Loss Pills Could Be the Next Online Health Scam

Pharmacist reveals the warning signs that a weight-loss medicine may be fake as the first GLP-1 tablet is approved in the UK

Consumers are being warned to watch for fake weight-loss tablets appearing on social media and unregulated websites following the approval of the first oral GLP-1 medicine for weight management in the UK.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approved the semaglutide tablet for weight loss on 11 June 2026, creating a needle-free alternative to injectable treatments.

However, Sobia Qasim, Superintendent Pharmacist at Curely, warns that growing public interest in weight-loss pills could also create a new opportunity for illegal sellers.

Unlike injectable pens, tablets can be placed in ordinary bottles, blister packs or envelopes and posted without specialist equipment, potentially making counterfeit products appear more convincing to consumers.

Fake medicines may contain the wrong dose, no active ingredient or entirely different and potentially harmful substances. The MHRA has already uncovered organised criminal networks manufacturing illegal weight-loss medicines and seized almost £45 million worth of illegal medicines during 2025.

Sobia said: “The arrival of an approved weight-loss tablet is an important development for patients, particularly those who are uncomfortable with injections. However, high demand and widespread online interest can also attract illegal sellers looking to exploit people who want quick or cheaper access.

“A tablet may look less suspicious than an injection because consumers are accustomed to receiving pills through the post. But a professional-looking box, blister pack or website does not prove that the medicine is genuine.

“Prescription weight-loss medication should only be supplied after an appropriate clinical assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. Any seller willing to bypass that process should immediately raise concern.”

Seven signs a weight-loss pill could be fake

Warning signWhy it should raise concern
It is sold through social media messagesGenuine prescription medicines should not be bought through private messages, marketplace listings or informal social media accounts.
No medical consultation is requiredWeight-loss medication is not suitable for everyone. A regulated provider should assess your health, current medicines and eligibility before prescribing it.
The seller guarantees a specific amount of weight lossResults differ between patients. Guaranteed outcomes are a marketing tactic, not responsible clinical advice.
You are pressured to act quicklyCountdown timers, limited stock claims and urgent payment requests may be used to stop consumers checking whether a provider is legitimate.
The price appears unusually lowA price substantially below recognised providers may indicate that the medicine is fake, unlicensed, incorrectly stored or obtained illegally.
The tablets arrive loose or in unfamiliar packagingMedicines should arrive in sealed, labelled packaging with clear dosage information and a patient information leaflet.
There is no registered pharmacy informationConsumers should be able to identify the pharmacy supplying the medicine and verify that it is registered with the appropriate UK regulator.

A familiar brand name does not guarantee a genuine product

Sobia warns that counterfeiters may copy recognised brand names, logos, batch numbers and packaging to make illegal products appear authentic.

In February 2026, the MHRA confirmed that a falsified version of a Mounjaro injection had been supplied through an online pharmacy in the UK. The regulator said fake medicines may contain incorrect ingredients, no active ingredient or harmful substances.

Previous fake GLP-1 injections discovered in the UK have also contained insulin, creating a risk of dangerously low blood sugar for people who unknowingly used them.

Sobia continued: “Counterfeiters can reproduce colours, logos and packaging extremely convincingly. Consumers should never judge a medicine by appearance alone.

The checks around the medicine are just as important as the product itself. Who prescribed it? Was a proper consultation completed? Which registered pharmacy supplied it? Can you contact a healthcare professional if something goes wrong?

“If those questions cannot be answered clearly, do not take the tablets.”

What consumers should check before ordering

Before purchasing weight-loss medication online, Curely recommends checking that:

  • Genuine clinical assessment is required
  • Qualified prescriber reviews the order
  • The dispensing pharmacy is registered in the UK
  • The provider asks about existing health conditions and medication
  • Clear contact details are available
  • The medicine arrives sealed and properly labelled
  • Instructions and patient safety information are included
  • Follow-up support is available throughout treatment

The NHS warns that medicines bought from unregistered websites may be out of date, diluted, fake or unsuitable for the person taking them.

What to do if you think a weight-loss medicine is fake

Anyone who believes they have received a counterfeit or suspicious medicine should not take another dose until they have spoken to a pharmacist or doctor.

Consumers should keep the packaging, receipt and details of the website or seller. Suspected fake medicines and side effects can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Those who experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness or symptoms of dangerously low blood sugar should seek urgent medical assistance.

Sobia added: “People may feel embarrassed if they have bought medication from an unofficial seller, but healthcare professionals need to know exactly what may have been taken so they can provide the right treatment.

Do not throw the packaging away and do not assume that feeling unwell is simply a normal side effect. With an unregulated product, there is no reliable way to know what the tablet contains or what dose has been supplied.

The safest route is always a properly regulated service offering clinical assessment, genuine medication and ongoing professional support.”

https://www.curely.co.uk/ 

Children exploited and put at risk: Crimestoppers launches county lines campaign

Crimestoppers has launched a national campaign to expose the hidden exploitation of children linked to county lines and encourage the public to speak up safely and anonymously.

County lines involves grooming and controlling young people. Children are targeted, manipulated and exploited to transport drugs, money and weapons, often far from home and while facing violence, intimidation and isolation.

*New figures highlight the scale of the issue. Police estimate that up to 11,600 children are at risk of county lines exploitation, with many going missing repeatedly. In the past year alone, more than 2,600 children were identified as linked to county lines activity, though the true number is believed to be significantly higher.

Going missing is one of the clearest warning signs. Each year, there are around 200,000 reports of missing children, many involving repeat episodes that increase the risk of harm. Within county lines networks, young people may be sent to unfamiliar areas and feel unable to seek help because of fear or coercion.

Violence is often part of this exploitation. Young people can be pressured into carrying weapons in the belief it will keep them safe, when in reality it puts them in greater danger.

The impact and harm extends beyond individuals. Communities may experience increased violence and antisocial behaviour, while vulnerable adults can also be exploited, including through “cuckooing”, where their homes are taken over.

Crimestoppers is urging the public to recognise the signs of exploitation and act early. Unexplained gifts, new clothes or phones, secrecy, or frequent absences can all indicate that a young person may be at risk.

Angela Parker, Scotland National Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “County lines exploitation is often hidden in plain sight and can affect any family or community. Children are being manipulated and placed in dangerous situations, while those responsible remain in the background.

“We know people may feel unsure about coming forward, but you can tell us what you know whilst staying completely anonymously. No names, no statements, just information that could help protect a young person from harm.”

Anyone with information about county lines activity, or concerns about a young person, can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity. We never ask for your name or personal details, and your information cannot be traced.

You will not be speaking to the police or have any involvement with the courts with you contact Crimestoppers or Fearless.org.

Man arrested in connection with human trafficking and exploitation offences

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with an ongoing operation to tackle retail crime.

This operation forms part of Operation Dynos, with officers gathering information over the last few months. Following enquiries, officers believe that vulnerable young people are being targeted to steal alcohol from stores across the west of Scotland.

On Friday (10 April, 2026), officers arrested and charged a 42-year-old man in connection with human trafficking and exploitation offences. He is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court tomorrow – Monday, 13 April, 2026.

Constable Sharon McDermott said: “We remain committed to tackling retail crime, while at the same time safeguarding young people from harm and coercion into criminal behaviour.

“We continue to gather evidence and utilise all resources at our disposal to tackle this type of crime.”

Human Trafficking and Exploitation: Have Your Say

Human trafficking is a serious crime that causes lasting harm. Ensuring victims receive the right support is essential.

A new consultation seeks views on whether the guidance on support available to adult victims is clear, practical, and helpful.

https://bit.ly/47PwS7m

scottish-government-guidance-support-adult-victims-trafficking-exploitation-consultationDownload

Edinburgh marks UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

This weekend, Edinburgh joined cities around the world in marking the UNESCO International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This annual event on 23 August provides an important opportunity to reflect on the historical roots, practices and lasting consequences of slavery.

In honour of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, a special remembrance concert took place at St Cecilia’s Hall on Friday (22 August).

Hosted by the Edinburgh Slavery & Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group and supported by Historic Environment Scotland, the performance featured live music, dance and spoken word from diverse local artists. 

City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said: “This day is not only about remembrance, but also responsibility. By acknowledging Edinburgh’s links to slavery and colonialism, we honour the memory of those who suffered and reaffirm our commitment to building a fairer and more inclusive city for the future.

“I’m grateful to the members of the Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group who continue to take forward the recommendations that were made to Council.

“These address the Capital’s historical links to slavery and colonialism and how they should be remembered in today’s Edinburgh. By reflecting on the Capital’s colonial links, we can better recognise its enduring legacy in our city and pay tribute to those who fought for its abolition.”

Irene Mosota, Chair of the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Review Implementation Group, said: “Today we pause to reflect on how our shared past continues to shape the present and the future.

“The history of slavery carved deep scars. Its echoes resound in divisions, in the barriers, in the racism we encounter still. To acknowledge this legacy with honesty, is the first step to more just and united society.

“Marking this day is not about reopening old wounds. It opens our eyes. It teaches us to remember. We do so to ensure that the injustices of the past are never repeated, and that our communities, our institutions, and our workplaces stand firmly against discrimination in all its forms.

“Our commitment is clear: to speak when silence would excuse wrong, to challenge what is unjust, to support what is fair, to listen with respect, and to continue learning from one another.

“When racism appears, we will not look away. We will answer it with fairness, with courage, and with solidarity for those most affected.

“Remembrance is not a single day. It is a living promise to uphold dignity, equality, and respect. That is what ‘never again’ means.”

Ranald MacInnes, Head of Outreach and Learning at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said: “This event is an important moment for reflection and connection. At HES, we are committed to working with communities to expand our knowledge and explore the legacy of empire.

“Understanding our shared past is an important part in addressing inequality and helps to ensure our heritage tells diverse and inclusive stories that belong to everyone.”

International Day for Remembrance of Slave Trade: ‘Time to abolish exploitation once and for all’

Victims of atrocities and freedom fighters across history can inspire future generations to build just societies,the chief of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on the occasion of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, commemorated annually on 23 August.

“It is time to abolish human exploitation once and for all and to recognise the equal and unconditional dignity of each and every individual,” Ms. Azoulay said.

The Day is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples.

‘The fight is not over’

Echoing the goals of UNESCO’s intercultural project The Routes of Enslaved Peoples, it should offer an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this tragedy and for an analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, said the UN agency, which leads the annual commemoration.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said that while the Day honours the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, “the fight is not over.”

“Modern slavery persists,” she stated. “Let’s confront injustice, past and present and uphold the dignity and rights of every person.”

For its part, the UN works towards these goals, including through its Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery, established in 2007.

Uprising led to abolition

On the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, in then Saint Domingue, now Haiti, saw the beginning of the uprising that would play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

Against this background, the International Day is commemorated around the world. It was first celebrated in a number of countries, including in 1998 in Haiti and in 1999 on Gorée Island in Senegal, where millions of enslaved people had been forced onto ships to cross the ocean.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1959241211702829218

“Today, let us remember the victims and freedom fighters of the past so that they may inspire future generations to build just societies,” UNESCO’s Ms. Azoulay said.

Suspected people smuggling gang taken down in nationwide strikes

A suspected people-smuggling gang has been arrested for allegedly using false identity documents to smuggle hundreds of people into the UK illegally, luring them into a life of exploitation and misery.  

On Tuesday 1 July, Immigration Enforcement officers executed warrants in Greater London, and Batley, West Yorkshire and arrested 7 suspects. The targets are believed to have used forged passports and visas of people with legitimate status in the UK to facilitate their illegal arrival, and subsequent employment in black market businesses.   

The gang is believed to have facilitated the illegal entry of over 500 people with no right to be in the UK.

Their alleged money-grabbing scheme is believed to have developed into a wide-scale, dangerous criminal network operating across the country, with the 5 men and 3 women believed to have sent fake documents to beneficiaries to evade detection from law enforcement.

The gang, who largely targeted Gambian nationals, are also suspected of re-using the fraudulent documents for different imposters hoping to make it to the UK illegally, with an ongoing investigation revealing a substantial quantity of images of passports found on the main suspect’s mobile phone.  

From booking flights to housing the migrants on arrival and providing them with illegal work, the gang provided a full service and charged around £5,000 per person. 

This particular gang, like many others, is believed to be charging substantial fees for arranging illegal entry to the UK, with the main suspect believed to have a turnover of over £1.3m in his bank account despite claiming to only earn £35,000 a year working for a furniture manufacturing company.

Another suspect is believed to have a turnover of over £1m across two bank accounts whilst simultaneously receiving Universal Credit. A further investigation will be launched in order to recover the profits made by this suspected organised criminal gang.

At the various addresses visited, officers seized several counterfeit identity documents which are believed to have been used in this criminal scheme.

These arrests form part of this government’s Plan for Change to strengthen the UK’s border security, which is already delivering results, with almost 30,000 people with no right to be here returned since the election and a turbocharge in immigration enforcement activity across the country which has led to a 51% increase in the number of illegal working arrests. 

Organised criminal gangs who are driven by profit often go to extreme lengths to make their cash, disregarding the safety of humans. The suspects in this case are believed to have been exploiting those they promised to help by forcing them to work in private homes under their control, leaving the survivors trapped in unsafe situations and exhausted for little or no pay.  

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle said: “This operation is a clear display that we will not stand by and let evil criminal gangs abuse our immigration system. 

“This suspected gang promised their beneficiaries a better life here in the UK. Instead, they face heinous levels of exploitation which is exactly why we are working with law enforcement to ensure survivors of modern slavery are supported and the criminal gangs face justice. 

“Our Border Security Command has £280m of additional funding over the next 4 years to deliver the step-change required to break their business models and deliver our Plan for Change to restore order to the immigration system.

Ben Ryan, Chief Operating Officer at Medaille Trust, said: “Medaille Trust is delighted to have collaborated on this operation and to have played a part in ensuring that victims were identified and supported to begin their recovery as survivors.

“We believe that collaborative efforts like this between the Home Office and civil society provide a model for confronting the evils of modern slavery; with a focus on both pursuing abusers and recognising and supporting survivors.”

The Home Office’s Criminal Financial Investigations team works closely with charities like Medaille Trust to support the victims of organised crime by keeping them at the heart of any investigation, providing invaluable expertise and support to the most vulnerable.

Through closer collaboration we are able to identify victims and offer them a safe haven to come forward about the abuse they have faced. Medaille Trust provide refuge and freedom from modern slavery and are one of the largest providers of supported safe house beds for victims of modern slavery in the UK.   

Cracking down on abuse of the immigration system is central to securing the UK’s borders. As set out in the Immigration White Paper in May, the UK government will introduce tighter controls, restrictions, and scrutiny of those who attempt to abuse and misuse the immigration system.

This includes strengthening border security by rolling out digital identity for all overseas citizens through the implementation of eVisas and new systems for checking visa compliance.

Illegal working enforcement soars in drive to strengthen border security

Over 6,000 arrests and 9,000 visits carried out across the UK since general election in Labour’s crackdown on illegal working

A major surge in immigration enforcement activity across the UK has led to a 51% rise in the number of arrests since Labour’s general election victory, as part of a Home Office drive to disable the illegal working trade in the UK.   

Immigration Enforcement teams have intensified activity in towns, cities and villages to tackle those abusing the UK immigration system and exploiting vulnerable people. It forms part of the government’s efforts to crack down on organised immigration crime at every level under the Plan for Change and end the false promise of jobs used to sell spaces on small boats.   

Since 5 July last year to 31 May, 9,000 visits have resulted in 6,410 arrests, marking a 48% and 51% rise respectively compared to the year before under the previous government (5 July 2023 to 31 May 2024).   

Particular focus has been on tackling employers facilitating illegal working, often subjecting migrants to squalid conditions and illegal working hours below minimum wage. Restaurants, nail bars and construction sites have been among the thousands of businesses targeted.    

The new measures come alongside a ramp-up of operational activity to restore control of the immigration system, including the return of nearly 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK.   

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: “For too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit migrants, with people allowed to arrive and work here illegally.

“This will no longer be tolerated on our watch. That’s why we are ramping up our enforcement activity and introducing tougher laws to finally get a grip of our immigration and asylum system.  

“Under our Plan for Change, we will continue to root out unscrupulous employers and disrupt illegal workers who undermine our border security.”

It is a legal requirement for employers to carry out Right to Work checks and those who fail to do so face hefty penalties including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years.   

Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration Enforcement Eddy Montgomery said: “Our work to tackle illegal working is vital in not only bringing the guilty to account, but also in protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.  

“I’m incredibly proud of our enforcement teams across the country for their hard work, skill and co-operation on these often challenging but highly important operations.”

During one major co-ordinated operation in March, officers made 36 arrests at a construction site in Belfast’s historic Titanic Quarter. Offences ranged from breaching visa conditions to illegal entry in the UK with no permission to work.  

Elsewhere, 9 arrests were made at a caravan park in Surrey last month following intelligence individuals were working illegally as delivery drivers in the gig economy.  

Meanwhile, 9 people were also arrested in Bradford in March as officers intercepted a popular illegal working pick up point in Naples Street.  

Ramping up illegal working enforcement activity forms a key part of the Home Office’s drive to restore order to the immigration system under the Labour Government’s Plan for Change.  

In many cases, individuals travelling to the UK illegally are sold a lie by smuggling gangs that they will be able to live and work freely in the UK, when in reality they often end up facing squalid living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working hours, with the threat of arrest and removal if they are caught working illegally.  

In the latest move to restore order to the asylum and immigration system, the government is also introducing tough new laws to clamp down on illegal working by extending Right to Work checks on those hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors like construction, food delivery, beauty salons and courier services.

Charity calls for the abuse of older people to be a key priority

Hourglass, the only UK-wide charity focused on ending the abuse, harm, exploitation and neglect of older people, is calling for an urgent inquiry to understand the true nature and scale of the abuse of older people, following the release of a new report by the Women and Equalities Select Committee.

The report points to older people being omitted from equality frameworks and an increase in ageist attitudes, particularly from the younger generation, with the Committee calling for a review into age discrimination laws which they found were ‘rarely enforced’.

In addition, the report raised the lack of a representative figure for older people in Westminster. Committee chair Sarah Owen MP has called for the UK Government to follow a similar strategy to Wales and ‘should consider the merits of establishing a UK cross-government minister to take responsibility for championing the rights of older people.’

Hourglass, who submitted evidence to the report, welcomes many of these changes as progressive steps to ensuring better representation for older people. However, they are looking to ensure that the abuse of older people is recognised and is a central part of any strategy to tackle ageism in the UK.

Research from the charity suggests that every year, one in five people over the age of 60 experience some form of financial/economic, physical, psychological, sexual abuse or neglect. Over 2.6 million people are thought to be affected, with the majority of cases being committed by family members, within the victim-survivors own home.

Reported cases of abuse committed against older people have risen in recent years, with the number of calls to Hourglass’ helpline having risen by 182% from around 4,500 in 2017 to 12,700 in 2024.

Furthermore, polling by Hourglass and YouGov conducted in 2024 found a ‘significant lack of awareness’ of the nature and prevalence of the abuse of older people, with the poll finding that more than 26% of people did not believe forcing an older relative to change their Will was an act of abuse.

The charity is calling for an inquiry to develop a specific strategy to tackle this abuse, which they estimate costs the UK economy over £16 billion every year, with this set to rise to £25 billion a year by 2050.

Richard Robinson CEO of Hourglass said: “I welcome the publication of this report, which not only shines a light on ageism, but tasks the Government with doing more to make sure older people are represented in Westminster. However, no new strategy on ageism can work without considering the prevalence of the abuse of older people.

“We at Hourglass believe it’s now time for a full inquiry into the abuse of older people – a hidden epidemic affecting 2.6 million people in the UK every single year.

“By 2050, there will be almost 10 million more older people in the UK. If we are to create a truly Safer Ageing Society for the benefit of us all, we must act now to protect more vulnerable older people from harm”.