Tag: Home Office

The press release issued by the Home Office on 13 January 2026.

Illegal working arrests and raids have reached their highest level after relentless activity by the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams.

• Record number of arrests and raids of illegal workers 
• 1,320 raids in Wales lead to 649 arrests
• Dodgy businesses including car washes, nail bars and barber shops targeted alongside sweeping reforms announced by the Home Secretary to cut illegal migration 

Illegal working arrests and raids have reached the highest level in British history thanks to relentless activity by the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams. 

Latest figures reveal the number of raids have soared by 77% in the UK since the government came into power, leading to an 83% rise in arrests (July 2024 to end of December 2025). 

Over 17,400 raids were made to dodgy businesses – such as nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops – targeting those attempting to undercut honest workers and hide in plain sight.  

The major uplift, which led to more than 12,300 arrests, was made possible by a £5m funding boost last year for Immigration Enforcement, to target and pursue illegal working criminality. 

In Wales, 1,320 raids were carried out in 2025, leading to 649 arrests – a 103% and 85% rise respectively compared to 2024.

The crackdown on illegal working builds on this government’s work to restore order to the immigration system and end the lure of illegal working that gangs use to sell spaces on small boats. 

It sits on top of government’s work to remove and deport 50,000 illegal migrants – a 23% increase under this government. 

Today’s figures come after the Home Secretary set out sweeping reforms to the immigration system – making it less attractive for illegal migrants to come to the UK and easier to deport and remove those with no right to be here.   

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:   

There is no place for illegal working in our communities. 

That is why we have surged enforcement activity to the highest level in British history so illegal migrants in the black economy have nowhere to hide. 

I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders. 

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

Illegal working fuels the black economy and hurts law-abiding Welsh businesses.

This government was clear that we will crack down on people and firms who are flouting the rules and we have delivered this with a record year of enforcement activity across Wales.

The new figures come as Immigration Enforcement officers across the UK are now equipped with body worn video technology.

Following the start of the launch in September last year, all teams are now benefitting from this capability which will help bolster arrests and prosecutions further.   

Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Lead for Wales and the West of England, Richard Johnson, said:

Illegal working is against the law and will not be tolerated in our communities.

I’d like to thank my teams for their steadfast efforts to tackle this criminality over the past year and we will continue this momentum throughout 2026 to ensure there is no hiding place from the immigration rules.

During illegal working raids last year, officers visited a range of sectors including restaurants, construction sites and nail bars.

• Three visits to packaging and distribution warehouses in Caldicot on 5 August resulted in eight illegal working arrests of Chinese nationals. Four were detained for their removal from the UK.
• A visit to Star Barbers in Porthmadog on 12 September resulted in three illegal working arrests. Two men, of Turkish nationality, were placed on immigration bail and the other, a Swedish man, agreed to leave the UK voluntarily. 
• On 14 October, a visit to a commercial construction site in Gower, Swansea, led to the arrest of seven Chinese nationals with four detained for removal from the UK. 

And through the new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, the government is expanding right to work checks, so they cover the gig, casual, subcontracted and temporary worker economy, ensuring there is no hiding place for illegal workers to flout the rules. 

On top of this, the Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce is bringing together law enforcement and government partners, including the National Crime Agency, National Police Chiefs Council, Border Security Command and Immigration Enforcement, to use every available tool to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal smuggling gangs operating in the UK. 

Over the last 12 months, there has been a 33% surge in disruptions related to migrant smuggling – with nearly 4,000 disruptions since July 2024 – and a landmark deal with France means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.  

To further ensure people can only work in the UK if they have permission, the government announced last year it will be introducing digital ID, which will be mandatory to prove someone’s right to work by the end of Parliament.   

This will create a simpler, more consistent way for employers to check someone’s eligibility to work. The move will make it harder for illegal migrants to find work and allow the government to identify rogue business owners who are failing to conduct checks.  

This work combined forms part of the government’s laser focus to secure Britain’s borders and end the false promise of work used to sell spaces on dangerous small boats.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 12 January 2026.

Record number of arrests and raids of illegal workers across the UK including 187 raids in Northern Ireland leading to 234 arrests.

Illegal working arrests and raids have reached the highest level in UK history thanks to relentless activity by the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams. 

Latest figures reveal the number of raids have soared by 77% in the UK since the government came into power, leading to an 83% rise in arrests (July 2024 to end of December 2025). 

Over 17,400 raids were made to dodgy businesses – such as nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops – targeting those attempting to undercut honest workers and hide in plain sight.  

The major uplift, which led to more than 12,300 arrests, was made possible by a £5m funding boost last year for Immigration Enforcement, to target and pursue illegal working criminality. 

In Northern Ireland, 187 raids were carried out in 2025, leading to 234 arrests – a 76% and 169% rise respectively compared to 2024.  

The crackdown on illegal working builds on this government’s work to restore order to the immigration system and end the lure of illegal working that gangs use to sell spaces on small boats. 

The activity sits on top of the government’s wider work to remove and deport 50,000 illegal migrants from the UK  – a 23% increase under this government rise. 

Today’s figures come after the Home Secretary set out sweeping reforms to the immigration system – making it less attractive for illegal migrants to come to the UK and easier to deport and remove those with no right to be here.   

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:   

There is no place for illegal working in our communities. 

That is why we have surged enforcement activity to the highest level in British history so illegal migrants in the black economy have nowhere to hide. 

I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders.

Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, said: 

Illegal working undercuts honest businesses across Northern Ireland and fuels the criminal gangs who profit from human exploitation.

This Government has increased enforcement to record levels, and the message is clear: there is no place for those flouting the law.

The new figures come as Immigration Enforcement officers across the UK are now equipped with body worn video technology.

Following the start of the launch in September last year, all teams are now benefitting from this capability which will help bolster arrests and prosecutions further.   

Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Lead for Northern Ireland, Paul McHarron, said:  

Illegal working is against the law and will not be tolerated. 

My teams will continue working around the clock to ensure those involved face the full force of the law.

During illegal working raids last year, officers visited a range of sectors including restaurants, construction sites and nail bars.  

• An immigration enforcement visit was conducted at VN Nail & Spa Salon in Belfast City Centre on 1 May. Three workers of Vietnamese nationality were arrested for illegal working. As a result, one individual was detained for removal.  
• On 28 June, officers visited Europa Car Wash in Bangor. Four individuals of Romanian, Ethiopian and Jordanian nationality, were arrested for illegal working, with two detained for removal from the UK as a result.  
• On 25 October, officers visited Beijing House in Londonderry. Three illegal workers of Chinese nationality were arrested. A Civil Penalty Referral Notice was served on the business owner.  Further inquiries to establish any liability and the liable employer will now take place. The liable employer could face a substantial fine if it’s found they employed illegal workers and failed to conduct relevant pre-employment checks.

And through the new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, the government is expanding right to work checks, so they cover the gig, casual, subcontracted and temporary worker economy, ensuring there is no hiding place for illegal workers to flout the rules. 

On top of this, the Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce is bringing together law enforcement and government partners, including the National Crime Agency, National Police Chiefs Council, Border Security Command and Immigration Enforcement, to use every available tool to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal smuggling gangs operating in the UK. 

Over the last 12 months, there has been a 33% surge in disruptions related to migrant smuggling – with nearly 4,000 disruptions since July 2024 – and a landmark deal with France means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.  

To further ensure people can only work in the UK if they have permission, the government announced last year it will be introducing digital ID, which will be mandatory to prove someone’s right to work by the end of Parliament.   

This will create a simpler, more consistent way for employers to check someone’s eligibility to work. The move will make it harder for illegal migrants to find work and allow the government to identify rogue business owners who are failing to conduct checks.  

This work combined forms part of the government’s laser focus to secure the UK’s borders and end the false promise of work used to sell spaces on dangerous small boats.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 12 January 2026.

Victims to be given more privacy with new rules blocking police from requesting counselling notes during investigations unless in exceptional circumstances.

Victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault will be provided greater privacy and dignity during police investigations under significant changes announced by the Home Office today.

Under the new measures, police and other agencies will only be able to request crime victims’ private counselling notes in special circumstances, in a move designed to improve the experience of victims, encourage more to come forward and eventually result in higher prosecutions.

Historically, police investigating crimes routinely asked for the counselling notes of victims as part of their investigations, leading to many feeling their privacy was being further violated after a traumatic experience and putting many off continuing with their case.

In the worst-case examples, these notes were used to decide on whether to proceed with a prosecution, particularly where victims had disclosed issues with their mental health to therapists.

As a result, victims had often been advised to avoid seeking counselling while police investigations were ongoing, despite many rape cases not reaching trial for 2 years or more, prolonging their suffering.

With a recent case review finding that almost 30% of rape cases included requests for counselling records, this is a significant step to ensure victims receive the privacy they deserve.

The new guidance follows the publication of the violence against women and girls strategy which was published last month. It aims to prevent violence against women and girls before it takes place.

It will also support more victims through a raft of hard-hitting measures, including putting dedicated units in every police force to more effectively tackle rape and sexual assault and provide better care for victims.

Violence against women and girls is a national emergency with 1 in 8 women a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking last year. Two hundred rapes are recorded by the police every day, with many more unreported. 

The changes announced today are expected to improve victim experience by:

• providing greater privacy and dignity – victims’ counselling records will only be requested in rare circumstances, reducing unnecessary intrusion into their personal lives
• faster, more focused investigations – by limiting unnecessary requests, the changes aim to reduce delays and keep investigations on track
• restoring confidence in the justice system – victims can be reassured that their rights and wellbeing are central to the investigative process; the aim is for fewer victims dropping out of the process, eventually increasing prosecutions

Under the new rules, police requests for counselling notes must be necessary, proportionate, and relevant – as set out in a new victim information request code of practice. Requests for counselling information must also be cleared at the chief inspector level – significantly raising the bar for these types of requests.

With around half of rape victims withdrawing support for police investigations last year, it is hoped by improving victims’ experience, this will encourage more to come forward to help bring more vile predators to justice.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said:

Rape and sexual assault devastate victims’ lives, but the sad truth is police investigations often only prolong that trauma.

But by stopping police routinely accessing counselling notes, we hope that more victims will have the confidence to come forward and help us bring more predators to justice.

This is about more than just words. We are deploying the full power of the state to make this country safe for women and girls.

Siobhan Blake, National Crown Prosecution Service Lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences, said:

No victim of rape should have to suffer further trauma when receiving justice. Alongside policing partners, our prosecutors are determined to make sure each victim experiences a justice process which is supportive, sympathetic, and victim-centred.

Today, we welcome the announcement from the Home Office that a higher threshold for requesting victims’ personal counselling notes will be imposed, protecting victims and encouraging policing and legal professionals to scrutinise a suspect’s actions over everything else.

Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) said:

We’re delighted that from today, police officers will no longer be able to routinely access rape survivors’ private counselling notes,  following our campaign to keep counselling confidential. Counselling is a space to explore feelings, and access to it is critically important in healing from trauma.

We now need to see strong implementation of the new guidance so that it is followed by police forces across the country, as well as an information campaign to inform survivors and therapists of their new rights.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 12 January 2026.

Victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal will continue to receive dedicated advocacy support.

£600,000 has been made available under the second year of the 3-year £1.5million Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund (WCASF) which launched last April.

Many victims have reported that revisiting traumatic experiences makes navigating the claim process extremely difficult.

This vital support will continue and follows the success of the fund’s first year.

Advocates understand claimants’ cultural background and will support them to articulate their stories.

They will also help claimants gather supporting evidence, signpost to additional services, and create a trusted environment.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp MP said:

We know too many Windrush victims find navigating the compensation claim process alone complex and traumatic.

That’s why we set up a fund to provide dedicated support so victims can receive the justice they deserve.

After a successful first year, I am delighted to announce we are providing another £600,000 so this support can continue to be delivered by community organisations.

The scandal saw people who had built their lives in Britain wrongly treated as illegal immigrants. Many lost jobs, were denied healthcare, faced deportation threats, and suffered severe financial hardship and deteriorating mental health.

The fund delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to work more closely with affected communities and forms part of the wider Plan for Change.

Virtual information sessions for organisations interested in applying will be held on 15 and 23 January 2026. Please register via email to WCSAdvocacySupportFund@homeoffice.gov.uk

Applications must be submitted via the Find and Apply Grant portal by 5pm on 6 February 2026.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 8 January 2026.

Hundreds of endangered species seized in crackdown on international wildlife smuggling.

Live snakes, tarantulas and lovebirds have been found crammed into vehicles at the UK border following a global crackdown on wildlife smuggling gangs.

In just one month, Border Force seized more than 250 endangered species and illegal wildlife products at airports, ports and mail depots across the country.

The seizures this autumn were part of an annual international operation to combat illegal wildlife smuggling – representing a 73% increase from 2023.

They include two rainbow boa constrictors, which officers found hidden under blankets in a car in Dover. The driver had bought them at a German reptile show without a licence.

Border Force also discovered over 100 endangered birds crammed into a car, including scarlet ibis, green-cheeked conures and lovebirds. Some had died and the rest were kept in filthy conditions, risking the spread of disease.  

There has also been a surge in spider trafficking since 2023. In one instance, Border Force intercepted a car transporting over 2,000 live tarantulas from Europe – worth an estimated £70,000. The consignment included more than 300 protected species without the appropriate licences.

Adult tarantulas can sell for between £50 to £500 depending on the species.

Other items prevented from reaching the black market included an elephant hair ring from the United States, king cobra balm from Thailand and a blacktip shark jaw from Australia.

Wildlife crime is worth up to £17 billion a year globally, making it the fourth largest international crime – behind firearms, drugs and human trafficking. 

The intercepted items are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which is currently marking its 50th year.

Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp said: 

Wildlife smuggling is serious organised crime. It fuels corruption, drives species to extinction, and undermines our border security.

I congratulate Border Force on this year’s hugely successful operation, which has cut off a major source of funding for dangerous gangs.

But we won’t stop until we’ve broken this business model. Anyone attempting to bring illegal wildlife products into the UK – by air, sea, or post – will be searched and prosecuted.

DEFRA Minister Mary Creagh said:

The illegal wildlife trade is vile and destroys the natural world.

By tackling wildlife crime we’re sending a clear message to the criminal gangs that this government will strain every sinew to bring those involved to justice.

The seizures took place between 13 September and 15 October as part of Operation Thunder – an annual crackdown led by Interpol and the World Customs Organization to dismantle criminal smuggling networks. 

Police supported this year’s operation, carrying out inspections across the country. Where sellers could not provide paperwork, officers seized items including shark and crocodile meat, ivory carvings and a tiger claw bottle.

Border Force’s specialist CITES team at Heathrow is recognised as world leaders in detecting and seizing illegal wildlife products.

More than ever before officers are taking an intelligence-led approach – working with international partners to share expertise and shut the trade down. 

Where possible, seized items will be rehomed or used for research. 

As part of the Plan for Change, the government is determined to strengthen border security and break the business model of organised crime.

Anyone who suspects smuggling and trafficking of any kind can report it online using the report smuggling service.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 30 December 2025.

Knife crime is falling and communities are safer thanks to a year of decisive action by the Home Office and the police.

New statistics show that in the worst affected areas, knife-point robberies are down 15% since June last year, following targeted action from the government. This compares to a 14% rise in 2024. In real-life terms this means almost 2,500 fewer people experienced the fear of being robbed under the threat of a knife.

At the same time, a government programme set up to take down County Lines – drug smuggling networks that cross regions and often involve the exploitation of children – has led to more than 8,000 arrests, more than 3,000 lines closed and more than 900 knives taken off the streets.

This also saw more than 4,000 exploited children and vulnerable people given support to turn them away from criminally exploitative County Lines gangs and over 600 young people supported by specialist services. There was a 25% drop in hospital admissions for knife stabbings in the areas where large quantities of Class A drugs originate.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones said:

Every line closed, every knife surrendered, every child safeguarded means lives saved and communities safer, and these results prove that our relentless focus on prevention and enforcement is working.

We have turned rising knife crime into falling knife crime, and we will not stop until serious violence is driven out of our communities and every young person has the chance of a safer future.

This government is driving an ambitious mission to cut knife crime by half within the next decade, taking decisive action and working hand-in-hand with police forces and local partners to deliver targeted interventions exactly where they are needed most.

In October last year, ministers launched a new group to clamp down on knife robberies, bringing together police forces in seven areas including Birmingham, Manchester and London, to share intelligence, ramp up enforcement, and drive down crime.

The County Lines Programme takes a similar targeted approach to dismantle drug gangs that exploit vulnerable people, while cutting violence and protecting communities. Together, these efforts are demonstrating continued success in making our streets safer by stopping knife crime and shutting down dangerous networks.

Kate Wareham, Strategic Director – Young People, Families and Communities, Catch22 said:

With thousands of children at risk of exploitation, we are really encouraged to see the progress being made by the Home Office in tackling county lines. Its County Lines Programme is having a significant impact in stopping criminal gangs, safeguarding exploited vulnerable people, and keeping communities safe.

Catch22 are proud that our national County Lines Support and Rescue Service continues to play a key part of this important work by providing immediate rescue and ongoing support to young victims and through working in partnership with the police.

The statistics out today round off a year of consistent progress and hard-won success.

The government’s knife surrender schemes – amnesties that let people hand in knives and banned weapons safely at police stations, surrender bins, or mobile vans – have taken almost 60,000 knives off the streets, removing deadly weapons from circulation.

Over 50 Young Futures Panel pilots have gone live across England and Wales, bringing together police, social care, education, and youth services to spot children at risk of crime early and connect them to tailored support.

Stronger age checks for the online sale and delivery of knives have been brought forward in the Crime and Policing Bill as part of Ronan’s Law. The same bill introduced legislation including a new child criminal exploitation offence and prevention orders which will disrupt and prevent this exploitation from occurring or re-occurring. 

In November, Hex mapping – a new tool for police and community partners to utilise data and intelligence to drive down knife crime in hyperlocal areas – was introduced across 11 local authorities. This allows police and partners to deliver tailored and responsive interventions and tackle knife crime head on.

Earlier this month the government launched a public consultation on proposals to introduce licensing for knife sellers and importers. Tougher restrictions on dangerous blades and stronger enforcement powers are also currently going through Parliament.

Pooja Kanda, knife crime campaigner, mother of Ronan Kanda and member of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, said:

Ronan’s Law is deeply important to me, closing critical gaps that allowed weapons to be obtained too easily, particularly online. Stronger age verification, tighter delivery checks, clearer responsibilities for retailers and platforms, and improved reporting of illegal online activity are practical measures that make a real difference. Alongside this, the national surrender scheme in July 2025 played a vital role in removing over 7,500 weapons from our streets.

While there is always more to do, I can’t thank the government enough for this work, and this progress shows what can be achieved when lived experience, campaigners, and government work together to tackle youth violence and strengthen protections for young people and communities, so no other family has to experience the loss that mine has.

Faron Paul, CEO of Fazamnesty and member of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together this year through the weapons surrender scheme. Working in close partnership with the Home Office, we’ve helped communities across the country take practical steps to reduce knife crime and make our streets safer.

This collaboration shows what’s possible when government and grassroots organisations work side by side, and I’m confident that building on this momentum will deliver even greater impact as we look ahead to 2026.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 23 December 2025.

Almost 240,000 fake Labubus have been seized at the border in a blow to criminals looking to cash in on demand for this year’s must-have Christmas present.

Dangerous imitations made up 90% of the more than 260,000 counterfeit toys stopped by Border Force in 2025, following a surge in the dolls’ popularity. 

With three-quarters of counterfeit toys failing safety tests, officers have stepped up shipment searches in the run-up to Christmas to protect children from harm.

As well as fake Labubus, Border Force seized a range of counterfeit toys and electrical products – including Jellycats, PlayStation controllers, Disney merchandise and Pokémon figurines.

Dangers to children include banned chemicals linked to cancer, and choking as fake toys break more easily due to their poor quality.

Organised criminals use counterfeit goods to profit from and prey on families, with no regard for the harm they could cause to children. 

They also undermine legitimate retailers and toy manufacturers who invest in safe, high-quality products during the crucial Christmas trading period. 

The seizures, which are usually destroyed following detection, protect honest businesses from criminals undercutting them with dangerous fakes. 

Adam Chatfield, Border Force Assistant Director said:  

Preventing cheap knock-off toys entering Britain isn’t about stopping fun at Christmas.

Serious organised criminals use profits from dangerous counterfeit goods to fund their evil activities – exploiting parents and families.

Every product seized disrupts criminal networks threatening our border security, spares children from harm and protects legitimate British businesses.

To tackle the surge of counterfeit toy sales over the Christmas period, Border Force has teamed up with the Intellectual Property Office as part of Operation Foretide, working together to identify and stop counterfeit goods entering the UK. 

Officers are trained to spot fake products and use intelligence to target high-risk shipments.

The seizures follow a record-breaking year for Border Force drug seizures, including £1 billion worth of cocaine seized this summer. Officers have also prevented dangerous weapons and firearms from reaching the UK’s streets.  

This government is relentless in its mission to protect the public and cut off the cash supply of criminal gangs flooding our borders with deadly products.  

Helen Barnham, Intellectual Property Office Deputy Director of Enforcement Policy said:

With counterfeit toys, what you see is rarely what you get. These illegal and dangerous goods have bypassed every safety check the law requires, behind the packaging can be hidden choking hazards, toxic chemicals and unsafe electrical wiring that put children in real danger.

This Christmas, check before you buy. Be wary of unfamiliar sellers and deals that seem too good to be true. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t let your child be the product tester.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 December 2025.

Border Force seizes over 250 endangered species and illegal wildlife products as part of an intensive international operation to target criminal networks.

Live snakes, tarantulas and lovebirds have been found crammed into vehicles at the UK border following a global crackdown on wildlife smuggling gangs.

In just one month, Border Force seized more than 250 endangered species and illegal wildlife products at airports, ports and mail depots across the country.

The seizures this autumn were part of an annual international operation to combat illegal wildlife smuggling – representing a 73% increase on the previous year.

They include 2 rainbow boa constrictors, which officers found hidden under blankets in a car in Dover. The driver had bought them at a German reptile show without a licence.

Border Force also discovered over 100 endangered birds crammed into a car, including scarlet ibis, green-cheeked conures and lovebirds. Some had died and the rest were kept in filthy conditions, risking the spread of disease.

There has also been a surge in spider-trafficking since 2023. In one instance, Border Force intercepted a car transporting over 2,000 live tarantulas from Europe – worth an estimated £70,000. The consignment included more than 300 protected species without the appropriate licences.

Adult tarantulas can sell for between £50 to £500 depending on the species.

Other items prevented from reaching the black market included an elephant hair ring from the United States, king cobra balm from Thailand and a blacktip shark jaw from Australia.

Wildlife crime is worth up to £17 billion a year globally, making it the fourth largest international crime – behind firearms, drugs and human trafficking.

The intercepted items are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which is currently marking its 50th year.

Home Office Minister Mike Tapp said:

Wildlife smuggling is serious organised crime. It fuels corruption, drives species to extinction, and undermines our border security.

I congratulate Border Force on this year’s hugely successful operation, which has cut off a major source of funding for dangerous gangs.

But we won’t stop until we’ve broken this business model. Anyone attempting to bring illegal wildlife products into the UK – by air, sea, or post – will be searched and prosecuted.

DEFRA Minister Mary Creagh said:

The illegal wildlife trade is vile and destroys the natural world.

By tackling wildlife crime we’re sending a clear message to the criminal gangs that this government will strain every sinew to bring those involved to justice.

The seizures took place between 13 September and 15 October as part of Operation Thunder – an annual crackdown led by Interpol and the World Customs Organization to dismantle criminal smuggling networks.

Police supported this year’s operation, carrying out inspections across the country. Where sellers could not provide paperwork, officers seized items including shark and crocodile meat, ivory carvings and a tiger claw bottle.

Border Force’s specialist CITES team at Heathrow is recognised as world leaders in detecting and seizing illegal wildlife products.

More than ever before officers are taking an intelligence-led approach – working with international partners to share expertise and shut the trade down.

Where possible, seized items will be rehomed or used for research.

As part of the Plan for Change, the government is determined to strengthen border security and break the business model of organised crime.

Anyone who suspects smuggling and trafficking of any kind can report it online using the report smuggling service

Dr Mark Jones, Head of Policy at wildlife charity Born Free said:

The work of Border Force and the police during Operation Thunder in 2025 is highly commendable.

However, the increase in seizures over the years in which Operation Thunder has been running reflects the ever-expanding scale of international wildlife trafficking, which is coordinated by organised criminal networks and is destroying the lives of animals and disrupting efforts to conserve threatened species. Far more needs to be done to tackle wildlife trafficking if we are to meet the internationally agreed goal to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, put nature back on a path to recovery, and ensure that the use, harvesting and trade of wild species is sustainable, safe and legal, by 2030. The UK needs to treat all wildlife crime as serious, notifiable and recordable crime, ensure that penalties for perpetrators are truly deterrent, and put the necessary resources into tackling this scourge.

Matt Collis, senior director of policy for IFAW said:

Across the world, wild animals are increasingly being taken from their natural habitats and funneled into the pet trade, sold to buyers who can buy them with the click of a button. It’s easy to imagine these buyers as living in faraway places, but the truth is – this trade is thriving here in the UK.

Organised criminal networks are quick to exploit these trends – putting wildlife in peril. Border Force’s success in intercepting smuggled animals is encouraging and should send a clear warning to traffickers. Yet behind the statistics lies a far darker reality. Many animals die long before reaching their destination, and those who survive often face a lifetime of suffering in captivity.

We cannot treat nature as a pet shop. Wildlife belongs in the wild – not in our homes.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 December 2025.

Baroness Anne Longfield CBE has been appointed to chair the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs as part of a 3-person panel appointed under the Inquiries Act, finally getting answers for victims and survivors.  

Longfield, a former Children’s Commissioner appointed in 2015 under the previous government, will be part of a 3-person panel. The three, appointed under the Inquiries Act, will investigate how young people were failed time and again by the very people who should have protected them. Longfield will work alongside Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE as panellists.

Longfield will instigate and direct local investigations in areas where it is suspected serious failures occurred, including Oldham. These will examine the actions of the police, councils, social services and other agencies, both locally and nationally, making sure any wrongdoing or cover-ups are brought to light and holding those responsible to account. Any evidence and findings from the inquiry that could support putting perpetrators behind bars will be passed to the police.  

The statutory inquiry will have full legal powers under the Inquiries Act to compel witnesses to give evidence, require organisations to hand over documents and records, and make recommendations, both locally and nationwide, to make sure nothing like this happens again.  

It has also been confirmed that the inquiry will focus exclusively on grooming gangs and explicitly ask how ethnicity, religion and cultural factors impacted both the response from authorities and the perpetrators themselves. The government has committed £65 million to the inquiry and it must not take longer than 3 years, putting a stop to victims waiting endlessly for answers. The draft terms of reference will now be consulted on before being finalised by March. 

Together the 3 panellists have extensive experience in championing children’s rights, holding policing to account and navigating local government systems. These 3 appointments reflect Baroness Casey’s recommendation that the inquiry be led by a panel of experts across the critical disciplines. 

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 

For years, the victims of these awful crimes were ignored. First abused by vile predators, they then found themselves belittled and even blamed, when it was justice they were owed. 

Today, I have announced the Chair and panel of an inquiry which will shine a bright light on this dark moment in our history.     

They will do so alongside the victims of these awful crimes who have waited for too long to see justice done.     

This inquiry is theirs, not ours. So I call on all those present to put politics aside, for a moment, and to support this Chair and her panel in the pursuit of the truth.

Baroness Anne Longfield CBE brings 4 decades of experience in children’s advocacy and safeguarding and was recommended by Baroness Casey, who has supported the set-up of the inquiry and has agreed to be an adviser to the inquiry for as long as is needed. 

Longfield will be supported by Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE as panellists, who have extensive experience in holding policing to account and local government systems. These 3 appointments reflect Baroness Casey’s recommendation that the inquiry be led by a panel of experts across the critical disciplines. 

The panellists will work directly with victims and survivors throughout the investigation, ensuring their experiences are at the heart of the inquiry and that investigations are victim-centred and trauma-informed. 

This comes amid a swathe of other activity announced by the government to tackle grooming gangs, including announcing a further £3.6 million to be invested into the policing response. 

Baroness Longfield CBE said: 

I am honoured to be asked to undertake this important role by the Home Secretary. 

The findings in Baroness Casey’s report were truly shocking, and I recognise that behind every heinous crime is a person, a child, a teenager, a family. I will never lose sight of this. 

The inquiry owes it to the victims, survivors and the wider public to identify the truth, address past failings and ensure that children and young people today are protected in a way that others were not. The inquiry will follow the evidence and will not shy away from difficult or uncomfortable truths wherever we find them. I am pleased to be working alongside Zoë Billingham CBE and Eleanor Kelly CBE as expert panellists in championing children’s rights, holding policing to account and local government systems.

The scourge of grooming gangs has not been adequately tackled over past decades. That must change and I will do everything in my power to make this happen. I am grateful to Baroness Casey for agreeing to act as adviser during the inquiry to ensure it stays true to this promise. 

Baroness Louise Casey, adviser to the inquiry, said: 

Baroness Longfield, Zoë Billingham and Eleanor Kelly have long-standing track records in advocating for children, holding police forces to account and leading on critical social issues. Together, they make a formidable team and have my full support. 

I will continue to work closely with the government to ensure the successful delivery of all my recommendations. Only by righting the wrongs of the past through the national criminal investigation, delivering this national inquiry and reforming our rape laws to make it unequivocally clear that children cannot consent to their abuse, can we truly draw a line in the sand.

A statutory inquiry was a key recommendation in Baroness Casey’s recent audit into grooming gangs, which exposed serious failings in how institutions responded to child sexual exploitation. It forms part of the government’s Plan for Change commitment to halve violence against women and girls, ensure safer streets and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.  

In the 6 months since the government accepted all of Baroness Casey’s recommendations, significant progress has been made.  

Hundreds of previously closed investigations into abuse and exploitation are being reviewed as part of a national police operation, Operation Beaconport, focused on bringing more perpetrators to justice and getting justice for victims and survivors. The inquiry will also work closely with this police operation and any evidence or findings they uncover that could lead to a criminal charge will be passed to the police.   

The government will also bring in an automatic disregard scheme for “child prostitution” convictions and cautions, so that survivors can get on with their lives free from unjust criminalisation and stigma.

A further almost £3.75 million will be invested into the policing response, support for survivors and research into how to stop grooming gangs, with: 

• nearly £1 million for the National Crime Agency to support Operation Beaconport, with a further £2.6 million for local police forces to review closed cases identified
• £146,000 for a rapid assessment of Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVAs) services, to identify any gaps in services for supporting child victims of grooming gangs and technology-assisted sexual offences

The Home Secretary has commissioned new research from UK Research and Innovation to rectify the unacceptable gaps in our understanding of perpetrators’ backgrounds and motivations, including their ethnicity and religion.

This investment shows the government’s unwavering commitment to tackling group-based child sexual exploitation on multiple fronts – investigating past crimes and cover-ups, finding and prosecuting offenders, and preventing future abuse.