Record-levels of illegal working raids made in Wales
In Wales, 1,320 raids were carried out in 2025, leading to 649 arrests – a 103% and 85% rise respectively compared to 2024
Illegal working arrests and raids have reached the highest level in British history- according to the Home Office.
Latest figures reveal the number of raids have soared by 77% in the UK, leading to an 83% rise in arrests (July 2024 to end of December 2025).
Over 17,400 raids were made to dodgy businesses - such as nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops.
In Wales, 1,320 raids were carried out in 2025, leading to 649 arrests – a 103% and 85% rise respectively compared to 2024
The UK Government says: "The crackdown on illegal working builds on this government’s work to restore order to the immigration system and end the lure of illegal working that gangs use to sell spaces on small boats."
Today’s figures come after the Home Secretary set out reforms to the immigration system.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:
“Illegal working fuels the black economy and hurts law-abiding Welsh businesses.
“This government was clear that we will crack down on people and firms who are flouting the rules and we have delivered this with a record year of enforcement activity across Wales.”
The new figures come as Immigration Enforcement officers across the UK are now equipped with body worn video technology.
Following the start of the launch in September last year, all teams are now benefitting from this capability which will help bolster arrests and prosecutions further.
Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Lead for Wales a, Richard Johnson, said:
“Illegal working is against the law and will not be tolerated in our communities.
“I’d like to thank my teams for their steadfast efforts to tackle this criminality over the past year and we will continue this momentum throughout 2026 to ensure there is no hiding place from the immigration rules.”
During illegal working raids last year, officers visited a range of sectors including restaurants, construction sites and nail bars.
Three visits to packaging and distribution warehouses in Caldicot on 5 August resulted in eight illegal working arrests of Chinese nationals. Four were detained for their removal from the UK.
A visit to Star Barbers in Porthmadog on 12 September resulted in three illegal working arrests. Two men, of Turkish nationality, were placed on immigration bail and the other, a Swedish man, agreed to leave the UK voluntarily.
On 14 October, a visit to a commercial construction site in Gower, Swansea, led to the arrest of seven Chinese nationals with four detained for removal from the UK.