Operation Silent leads to 14 arrests

A total of 14 people have been arrested in Norfolk after police and Home Office teams took action against organised immigration crime

Officers stopped delivery vehicles in Norwich and Thetford.

Several vans and e-bikes were seized, with arrests for illegal working and overstaying visas.

Lead officer PC Chris Leah, from the Commercial Vehicle Unit, said:

“Activities such as this are essential in disrupting illegal employment within the delivery industry.

“Our ongoing collaboration with Immigration Enforcement plays a crucial role in protecting vulnerable individuals from modern slavery and targeting the organised criminal networks behind it. Migrants who are working illegally, particularly within the food delivery sector, are often subject to exploitation by groups that exert control over work accounts and personal identification documents.

“Operation Silent continues to deliver strong and consistent results. We remain committed to carrying out further operations across Norfolk and taking decisive action against those involved in Organised Immigration Crime.”