Illegal working raids and arrests hit record levels

THE UK Government last year made a record number of arrests with raids on illegal workers in Wales.

- RUTH MOSALSKI and ANAHITA HOSSEIN-POUR

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood

In Wales, 1,320 raids were carried out in 2025, leading to 649 arrests - both up on 2024.

As part of a crackdown, they say car washes, nail bars and barber shops were targeted alongside sweeping reforms announced by the UK Government Home Secretary to cut illegal migration.

Nationally, the number of visits and arrests over illegal working has reached its highest level since current records began in 2019. Some 12,791 visits took place in 2025, up 57% from 8,122 in the previous year, to businesses such as nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops.

Arrests were also at a record high of 8,971 last year, up nearly 59% compared to 5,647 in 2024 - the previous highest point in data published by the Home Office. Of those arrested, 1,087 people have been removed from the UK so far.