Immigration officers arrested a Pakistani national at Evri's Redditch depot on Wednesday, July 8, on suspicion of being an 'overstayer'. The arrest was part of a nationwide operation targeting parcel distribution centres, resulting in 10 arrests across three locations.
Details of the Raids
The Home Office confirmed that officers raided the Evri base in Oxleasow Road, Redditch, detaining the Pakistani suspect for allegedly remaining in the UK beyond the expiry of their visa. Further raids occurred at Evri depots in Croydon on July 9 and Crawley on July 15.
In Croydon, three Brazilian nationals, two Pakistani nationals, and an Indian national were arrested on suspicion of various immigration offences. In Crawley, officers arrested a Gambian national, a Ghanaian national, and a Pakistani national, all on suspicion of being overstayers.
Consequences and Penalties
All individuals arrested have been placed on immigration bail under strict conditions. The Home Office warned that Evri could face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker if found to have failed in conducting proper pre-employment checks. A Home Office spokesperson stated: 'Those who fail to do so will face hefty penalties including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five years.'
Company Response
An Evri spokesperson said: 'We take our employment responsibilities very seriously, and right-to-work checks are carried out for all employees. We remain committed to cooperating fully and constructively with the Home Office in relation to their enquiries.'
Official Statement
Eddy Montgomery, director of enforcement, compliance and crime at the Home Office, commented: 'I want to thank my officers up and down the country who carry out these operations every day. We're committed to working closely with companies to ensure they are compliant. However, we will never hesitate to take enforcement action to crack down on those who flout the law.'
Future Legal Changes
From October, firms hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers, including in the delivery sector, will be legally required to conduct checks to confirm anyone working in their name is eligible to work in the UK. Failure to comply will result in substantial penalties.
