More than 600 immigration arrests in January – as government expects rise in deportations
More than 600 immigration arrests were made last month, as authorities carried out more than 800 raids, the Home Office has said.
The Labour government points out this was a 73% increase compared to January last year – when the Conservatives were in power – and 352 arrests were made across 556 visits.
Labour have been emphasising border security since its election, recognising that the topic is one of the most important to voters – and not wanting to lose ground to the Tories or Reform UK.
Some 3,930 arrests have been made over 5,424 visits by immigration enforcement officers since July when Labour took over, according to Home Office figures.
The number of arrests highlighted today happened after a series of raids at businesses like restaurants, takeaways, cafes, car washes, nail bars and vape shops.
In total, Labour said that more than 16,400 people have been deported since the election – and the government says this number is expected to go up later on Monday when new data is published.
These deportations have included more than 800 people being off-shored aboard four chartered flights.
This is alongside the 609 people arrested over 828 raids in January.
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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken.
“Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in a small boat, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people, the immigration system and our economy.
“That’s why, as part of our Plan for Change, we are boosting enforcement to record levels alongside tough new legislation to smash the criminal gangs that undermine our border security and who have been getting away with it for far too long.”
Cafes were among the businesses raided. Pic: PA
The government highlighted how a raid on a Cheshire vape shop led to 10 immigrant arrests and two criminal arrests – the latter for counterfeit documents.
Civil penalty referral notices were also made to employers.
Upon entering government, Labour immediately scrapped the Rwanda deportation scheme championed by various Conservative prime ministers.
The roughly 1,000 transferred staff that had been working on the programme have instead been used to help with the enforcement of immigration rules.
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Migrant weekend crossings explained
The Conservatives still claim that the Rwanda scheme would work as a “deterrent” for illegal migrants.
Other measures the government has taken include launching adverts in Vietnam and Albania to dissuade potential migrants, and working with other countries to try to prevent people coming to the UK illegally.
In March, the UK will host a border security summit – with the government claiming more than 40 countries will come together alongside bodies like the EU to discuss illegal migration.
The government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is set to be debated in the House of Commons in its second reading this week.
But the bill has been criticised by Conservative opponents.
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Chris Philp MP, shadow home secretary, called it a “weak bill that won’t stop the boats”.
“Shockingly, the bill also restores an illegal migrant’s capability to claim indefinite leave to remain,” he added.
“This follows new research showing that if Labour don’t back the plan set out by Kemi Badenoch and the Conservatives, millions more migrants could obtain ILR (indefinite leave to remain), costing the taxpayer £234bn. That is why Labour must back our amendment.
“Under new leadership, the Conservatives are coming up with effective and deliverable reforms to cut immigration. Our country is our home, not a hotel.”
Neighbours have been left in “shock” and fear after the sudden deaths of a popular British couple in rural France.
Dawn and Andrew Searle, who have not yet been officially named by French authorities, moved to the hamlet of Les Pesquies, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in southern France, around a decade ago.
The couple, who are in their 60s, are believed to have been found dead by a German friend who lives nearby, after Mr Searle did not turn up for one of their regular walks.
Andrew and Dawn Searle’s home
Ms Searle’s son, the country musician and former Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr, said in a statement posted online that he and his sister, Amanda Kerr, and Mr Searle’s two children, Tom and Ella Searle, were grieving.
Investigators are reportedly looking at whether the British couple were killed during a burglary, but all lines of enquiry, including murder-suicide or potential links to Mr Searle’s previous work as an organised crime financial investigator in the UK – are open.
A neighbour who knew them very well told Sky News they were “very happy people, joyful, very nice and would talk to people even if they didn’t know them. They always had a smile on their face.”
Ms Searle’s body was reportedly found outside their home, naked, with jewellery found scattered nearby, while Mr Searle’s body was discovered inside the house and had been gagged, according to local media.
There was little sign of their deaths at their home in the idyllic village on Monday, apart from the yellow and red Gendarmerie tape still on the white gate.
Police at the scene. Investigators are reportedly looking at whether the British couple were killed during a burglary
Locals described them as “good neighbours” who would often be seen walking their two dogs.
“Each year in September they would do this big dinner with all the village and invite everyone. They were very nice people,” said a woman who lived nearby.
“It’s very sad, it’s tragic. It’s a very low-key village, everybody gets along with each other and everybody’s in shock right now, they’re surprised.
“It’s scary too. The newspapers are saying possibly it’s because of what he used to do as a job. Here locally, nobody would hold grudges.”
The couple lived near Villefranche-de-Rouergue Aveyron in southern France
A LinkedIn profile in his name says he retired in 2015 after working for Barclays and Standard Life, and was “enjoying life in rural France”.
His page talks about having “over 20 years experience specialising in Financial Crime Prevention (AML, Fraud and Anti-Bribery) with a high profile in the industry and an extensive network of contacts”.
Another woman said she was about to buy a house in the hamlet but is now having second thoughts, adding: “I don’t feel safe here anymore”.
A postman said there was a big UK expat community in the area, with around 20 British people on his round.
The Searles have lived in the village permanently for 10 years and are said to be very integrated with the community.
“They would enjoy life, they would travel and sometimes go home as well,” a neighbour said.
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The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, who also lives in Les Pesquies, previously told broadcaster France 3 the deaths were “something criminal, a homicide very clearly”.
However, the public prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller said that while both “died violent deaths… all hypotheses remain open” while investigations continue.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities.”
UK
Teenage soldier Jaysley Beck found dead on military base had complained of ‘psychotic’ boss, inquest hears
A teenage soldier who was found dead at a military camp felt “trapped” by the “possessive and psychotic” behaviour of her army line manager, an inquest has heard.
Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on 15 December 2021.
A military inquiry report published in October 2023 described “an intense period of unwelcome behaviour” and said it was “almost certain this was a causal factor” in the 19-year-old’s death.
An inquest into her death heard Gunner Beck received thousands of messages from Bombardier Ryan Mason in a single month and his behaviour was “freaking her out”.
Her mother, Leighann McCready, described how her daughter “did not feel safe” as the situation involving Mr Mason intensified.
The Salisbury hearing was shown a series of WhatsApp messages between Gunner Beck and Mr Mason between October 2021 and December 2021.
Leighann McCready told the inquest her daughter did not feel safe
In one message to Gunner Beck, on 21 October, Mr Mason wrote: “Love you Jayse. As a friend.”
On 11 November, he wrote: “You’re amazing Jayse, I appreciate you so much, I love everything about you, even your flaws.”
On 25 November, Gunner Beck wrote to Mr Mason, telling him the situation was “becoming a bit too much” and “weighing me down”.
She added: “Totally honest here, I just don’t want to hear how you feel about me.”
Ms McCready said her daughter had received 3,600 messages from Mr Mason in the month of November – and Gunner Beck had expressed fears he was watching her.
She added her daughter had phoned her on 7 December when she was staying in a hotel in Newbury for work.
Gunner Beck was “upset and crying” and was “afraid something would happen,” Ms McCready said.
“Ryan was freaking her out,” she added.
Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire
‘It’s not normal behaviour’
The inquest was shown a draft text message that Gunner Beck had planned to send Mr Mason.
It said: “I honestly feel trapped in this whole situation, I have tried to act as normal as possible because we are working together but nothing normal about this situation.
“It’s possessive and psychotic, you have to understand it’s not normal behaviour.
“I am struggling to deal with all of this, it’s taking a huge toll on my own mental health for many personal reasons. I need time out.”
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The inquest was also told that Gunner Beck had complained of being assaulted by a sergeant who put his hand “between her legs” while on a team-building stay at Thorney Island, near Emsworth, Hampshire, in July 2021.
The hearing continues.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
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