18 Arrested in Immigration Raid at UK DPD Delivery Depot

Eighteen workers were arrested at a DPD delivery depot in Wolverhampton on suspicion of immigration offenses during a recent crackdown on illegal working. The raid took place on Tuesday, September 29, at the DPD site located at Dudley Port.

Immigration Enforcement officers conducted the operation, with footage appearing to show workers in DPD uniforms being detained near their delivery vans. The depot could face a Civil Penalty Referral Notice, potentially leading to further investigations into the business's liability for employing undocumented workers.

Under current immigration rules, employers found to have hired illegal workers without conducting proper right-to-work checks can be fined up to £45,000 per worker for a first offense, escalating to £60,000 for repeat offenses. More severe cases may result in criminal prosecution.

A Home Office spokesperson stated that illegal working will not be tolerated and highlighted an increase in immigration enforcement activity, with arrests for illegal working up by 122 percent. The spokesperson added that strengthened right-to-work requirements now cover the parcel delivery sector to ensure compliance.

DPD, however, asserted that it has robust procedures in place for right-to-work checks for all its employees. The company confirmed it had not yet been served with any penalty notice and is working closely with the Home Office on the issue. DPD also noted it had reviewed its procedures in light of recent legislation changes.

This incident follows a similar operation in June, where nine individuals were arrested during raids at two DPD depots in Basingstoke, Hampshire, and Newbury, Berkshire. Those arrests were also made on suspicion of immigration offenses.