Labour hails major migrant crackdown as 3,930 arrested for 'illegally working' after Cooper boosts enforcement to 'record levels'

Last month alone saw 828 visits resulting in 609 arrests - the highest January figures since records began in 2019. The crackdown has targeted workers in nail bars, car washes and restaurants, with many found working in squalid conditions for employers avoiding taxes.

Raids across London and the South East saw multiple arrests, including suspects detained at a car wash in Herne Hill and a beauty salon in Tonbridge, Kent. Six migrants were held at a grocery warehouse in south London last month.

Operations targeting restaurants and vape shops proved particularly successful, with ten immigration arrests made at vape shops in Cheshire and eleven detained at an Indian restaurant in Humberside. In Wales and the West of England, January arrests more than doubled year-on-year from 45 to 101.

Those arrested had entered the UK through various routes, including Channel crossings and visa overstays.

Commenting on the surge in arrests, Cooper said: "The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken."

She warned the current situation creates "a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in a small boat" while resulting in "the abuse of vulnerable people, the immigration system and our economy".

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• 'Mind-boggling!' Albanian criminal allowed to stay in Britain due to son's dislike of 'foreign' chicken nuggets
• Asylum seeker awarded £100k after complaining she was 'treated like a criminal' when overstaying in Britain: 'Reckless disregard for her rights'
• EXPOSED: 'Worst offender' councils splurging on yoga and PlayStations for asylum seekers while increasing YOUR taxes by hundreds

Officials say migrants are often sold false promises about UK opportunities by criminal gangs, only to face exploitation. The Government's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is set for its second reading in the Commons, introducing new counter-terror powers against people smugglers.

The legislation could see boat part suppliers face up to 14 years in prison, while endangering lives at sea could result in five-year sentences.

Police will gain powers to search electronic devices before arrest if suspected of containing information about organised immigration crime.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to treat people smugglers as "terrorists," though ministers have not set specific targets for reducing Channel crossings.

The measures are expected to be implemented this year once approved by Parliament. Human rights group Liberty has warned the Bill sets a "dangerous precedent" by introducing counter-terror powers for non-terrorism offences.

The International Rescue Committee UK urged the establishment of safe routes, with advocacy director Denisa Delic saying vulnerable people will otherwise "continue to be forced into the hands of smugglers."

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp labelled the legislation "a weak Bill that won't stop the boats".

However, Labour responded by claiming that the Conservatives had "no credibility" after overseeing "soaring small boats crossings and record high net migration".