Tag: nationwide operation

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.”

Over 100 arrested in ‘record breaking’ illegal working crackdown 

The Home Office deployed over 300 immigration officers on over 150 enforcement visits in one day to crack down on illegal working across the UK 

The Home Office has conducted a record number of visits targeting illegal working in one day, as part of a nationwide operation.

During the operation, which took place across the UK yesterday, Immigration Enforcement officers arrested 105 foreign nationals found working without the right to do so during 159 illegal working visits.

The arrests took place at commercial premises including restaurants, car washes, nail bars, barber shops and convenience stores.

Suspects were arrested for offences including illegal working and possession of false documentation, with sums of cash seized at some locations.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended an early morning visit in Brent, North London, to observe Immigration Enforcement officers at work as part of the day of action.

Home Secretary, Suella Braverman said: “Illegal working harms our communities, cheats honest workers out of employment and defrauds the public purse as no taxes are paid. As the Prime Minister has set out, we are committed to tackling the abuse of our laws and borders.

“We know the prospect of black-market employment is a significant attraction for migrants considering making dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK.  Operations such as today send a clear message that we will not stand for this.”

Of those arrested, over 40 were detained by the Home Office, pending their removal from the UK, with the remaining suspects being released on immigration bail. It is also expected that a number of the arrests will result in voluntary departure from the UK.

Offenders of over 20 different nationalities were found to be working without the right to do so in the UK.

The operation builds on the ongoing work by Immigration Enforcement officers to clamp down on illegal working which is a key part of the government’s approach to stopping the boats.

This work tackles illegal migration by breaking the business model of criminal gangs who use the offer of black market jobs as one way to draw people to the UK illegally.

In the first quarter of 2023, Immigration Enforcement teams delivered 1,303 enforcement visits, a 57% increase on the same period last year, and since the PM set out his plan to stop the boats in December, arrests have now doubled since the same period last year.

Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime, Eddy Montgomery, added: “This result demonstrates the dedication and professionalism of our officers to take action against immigration offenders, as well as employers who are not complying with the rules. Our enforcement teams are working around the clock to deter immigration offending and help protect the public.

“Working closely with partners and agencies including the police and the National Crime Agency, we are tackling illegal working at every level. It is vital that we not only identify individuals in breach of immigration law but target the people smuggling networks behind this type of criminal activity.”