Multiple illegal migrants working as delivery drivers have been arrested following police raids on an asylum hotel.
The raids focused on individuals suspected of earning money through food delivery services while residing in taxpayer-funded accommodation.
Officers seized mobile phones and bicycles during the enforcement action in London. The raids lasted several hours and resulted in multiple arrests for illegal working and breaching bail conditions.
The crackdown followed revelations about asylum seekers obtaining delivery work through social media groups that sell delivery accounts to subcontractors.
Illegal migrants have been working as delivery drivers for Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats
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These groups allegedly enable individuals to secure employment within minutes.
The operation saw more than 20 officers in stab vests deploy from unmarked vehicles outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel.
They confronted at least 10 men, including two seen carrying delivery-branded food bags on bicycles.
During the confrontations, one individual with his face covered despite 32C temperatures shouted at enforcement officers to "f*** off" and "respect their rights".
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Officers collected evidence by taking screenshots from phones and instructing suspects to open delivery applications.
One officer challenged a rider who denied working for a food firm, asking: "Why are Deliveroo calling you now, then?" after the suspect's mobile rang during questioning.
A second operation resulted in one cyclist being placed in an unmarked custody van.
Officers were observed placing items, including what appeared to be a phone, into evidence bags after searching the individual and his bicycle's pannier bags.
Major food delivery companies were summoned to the Home Office for urgent discussions about illegal working practices.
The operation occurred at the Thistle City Barbican hotel
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Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats executives faced criticism at the meeting, which coincided with the enforcement raids.
The companies have committed to implementing enhanced facial verification checks within 90 days to identify unauthorised workers.
Just Eat announced it would increase checks from monthly to daily frequency and stated it "fully supports" Government efforts to combat illegal working.
Deliveroo confirmed it maintains a "zero tolerance approach to anyone abusing our platform".
Uber Eats said it is "committed to tackling illegal working and welcomes continued collaboration with industry and the Home Office".
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