Illegal workers arrested in Christmas market raid

Eleven men were arrested for illegal working offences after officers swooped on a Christmas market.

Nine men, of Indian, Iraqi and Chinese nationality, were arrested at Kempton Park Market in Surrey on Thursday, while two men of Indian nationality were arrested at properties nearby.

Five of the men were detained pending removal from the UK and the remaining six were released on immigration bail, the Home Office said.

The investigation involved the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement team, Surrey Police and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Home Office immigration enforcement inspector Sam Malhotra said there was "no hiding place" from the immigration rules.

"We are working around the clock to identify this criminality wherever it is taking place and those found working illegally will be arrested, detained and removed wherever possible.

"This activity is ramping up right across the UK with enforcement levels at their highest rate in British history."

Latest figures revealed that more than 8,000 illegal migrants have been arrested after 11,000 raids were carried out by Immigration Enforcement from October 2024 to September 2025.

It marks the largest enforcement crackdown on illegal working since records began and sits alongside action to remove nearly 50,000 people with no right to be in the UK since government came into power.

Spelthorne Borough Commander Insp Matt Walton said: "We will always look to protect vulnerable people exploited by criminals, but where people are deliberately trying to work outside of the law, we will join with partners to take enforcement action.

"By working alongside partner agencies on specific operations, we can effectively tackle these types of offences, while also looking for wider criminality."

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