UK arrests over 4,700 illegal workers in H1 2026

United Kingdom Immigration Enforcement officers arrested more than 4,700 people working illegally in the country during the first six months of 2026, the Home Office has announced.

Official figures show that 4,756 arrests were made between January and June, a 20 per cent rise from the same period in 2025.

Officers carried out 7,270 raids on businesses, up 31 per cent year-on-year, as the country intensifies its crackdown on illegal working.

The Home Office, in a statement posted on its X handle on Tuesday, described the results as the most successful six-month period in British history.

It said, “Latest figures show that in the first six months of 2026, Immigration Enforcement arrested more than 4,700 illegal workers – the most successful six-month period in British history.

“Illegal working enforcement has reached the highest level in British history. More than 17,000 illegal working arrests have been made since July 2024, a 122 per cent increase on the two years prior.”

London recorded the highest number of arrests, at 1,256, up 32 per cent, followed by the West Midlands with 701, up 22 per cent, and the South West with 693, up 44 per cent.

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Employers in sectors including beauty, retail and hospitality have been hit with £74m in civil penalties so far this year.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said, “This surge in enforcement activity takes us to the highest level in British history. Illegal workers and rogue employers have nowhere to hide.”

Reform UK said Labour was “insulting the intelligence of the British public” with the new figures.

Responding to the figures, Reform’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, said, “The British public can see the scourge of illegal working growing all around them. Labour is only insulting their intelligence by claiming it is not.”

The Home Office said it was already increasing penalties for companies hiring illegal workers.

From October 1, employers caught hiring illegal workers in the gig economy, such as delivery riders, could face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker or five years in prison.