Police and partners target organised immigration crime in national operation - EUROPE SAYS
Officers from West Mercia Police have joined forces with partner agencies as part of a national crackdown on organised immigration crime (OIC). They targeted businesses and criminal networks that often prey on. . .
Officers from West Mercia Police have joined forces with partner agencies as part of a national crackdown on organised immigration crime (OIC). They targeted businesses and criminal networks that often prey on vulnerable people by facilitating illegal entry into the UK, exposing them to dangerous journeys and exploitation. Between Monday 15 and Saturday 20 June, West Mercia took part in Operation Lockstream, led by the Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce (OICDT) – a national policing programme bringing together law enforcement agencies across the UK to tackle OIC. Op Lockstream saw co-ordinated, multi-agency, locally led disruptions to UK high street grey or gig economy hotspots targeting businesses such as nail salons, car washes, barbers and vape shops as well as fast food delivery riders and deliver drivers. Nationally, Op Lockstream saw police and Immigration Enforcement (IE) make 362 arrests – with 57 of those known to have entered the UK by small boats. Officers also seized over £1million in cash, over £700,000 in illegal tobacco, vapes and cigarettes, 92 cars and 31 e-bikes. In West Mercia, our officers worked with Immigration Enforcement (IE) officers and other partners, and local results included:– Attended a car wash in Telford where one man was detained and arrested for immigration entry offences and four other workers were checked and found to be following their restrictions. – Visit to a Shropshire nail bar where four occupants were arrested and street bailed by Immigration Enforcement (IE) for illegal working. – Visit to nail bar in Telford where five occupants were compliant with restrictions placed up on them. – Visit to a shop in Shropshire following intelligence around suspected sales of illegal vapes to children with Trading Standards and IE where one worker was found to have no right to work in UK. – Visit to takeaway in in Telford where one male present was compliant with his conditions. Detective Inspector Steve Lloyd, Tactical Lead for Organised Immigration Crime for West Mercia, said: “Organised Immigration Crime is a complex and evolving challenge, and it remains a national high‑priority threat. “It involves the illegal movement of people into and out of the UK and often enables individuals to remain in the country illegally under exploitative and harmful circumstances. “Across West Mercia we supported Op Lockstream by focusing on disrupting the organised crime groups responsible for these offences. ”Deputy Chief Constable Wendy Gunney, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s organised immigration crime domestic taskforce lead, said: “This multi-agency activity sends a clear message to organised crime gangs that law enforcement agencies are working together to tackle illegal trade within our communities, and to bring offenders to justice. ”