18 Arrests Made in Wiltshire During Organised Immigration Crime Operation

Wiltshire Police made 18 arrests and visited 33 businesses as part of a national operation targeting organised immigration crime, with officers also seizing drugs, cigarettes and more than £46,000 in cash.

The activity took place between 21 September and 5 October as part of Operation Lockstream, a nationwide initiative involving police forces and partner agencies to disrupt organised criminal networks, identify offenders and protect vulnerable people from exploitation.

In Wiltshire, officers worked alongside the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards and HMRC. Businesses visited included car washes, restaurants, vape shops, convenience stores and nail salons.

During the operation, officers spoke to 262 people and submitted 62 intelligence reports. They also seized 1kg of cannabis, 75g of cocaine, 10,000 cigarettes and £46,605 in cash.

Detective Chief Inspector Megan Elkins said the operation demonstrated the value of coordinated work between different agencies to tackle organised immigration crime and the harm it can cause within communities.

She said criminal networks involved in this type of offending could facilitate the unlawful movement of people into and out of the UK, with some individuals placed in exploitative and vulnerable circumstances.

Police also warned that organised immigration crime can be connected to other serious offences, including county lines drug dealing, drug trafficking, money laundering and fraud.

The operation included targeted activity on Wiltshire's road network, with the Roads Policing Unit working alongside the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Immigration Enforcement, Dorset Commercial Vehicle Unit and police student officers.

Officers focused on unsafe vehicles and the use of fraudulent documents by drivers, with activity taking place on key routes including the M4 and A419.

The road policing operation resulted in 13 arrests for immigration offences, 128 vehicle stops, 22 Traffic Offence Reports and 41 fixed penalty notices.

Officers also deployed new motion detection equipment designed to help identify vehicles potentially being used to transport people unlawfully. The technology can detect sounds and vibrations that may indicate hidden occupants inside vehicles.

Inspector Neil Duffin, of Wiltshire Police's Roads Policing Unit, said officers were committed to disrupting human trafficking and protecting vulnerable people.

He explained that although Wiltshire had not experienced a significant number of incidents involving people concealed in lorries, police were aware of the wider international threat and were using the technology to support proactive operations.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson also joined officers during the week of action.

He said organised immigration crime caused harm to individuals and communities in both towns and rural areas, with criminal networks often exploiting vulnerable people for financial gain.

He welcomed the results of the operation, highlighting the importance of agencies working together to gather intelligence, safeguard people at risk and bring offenders to justice.

The Wiltshire activity formed part of a much larger national operation. Across the country, police and Immigration Enforcement teams made 452 arrests, 66% of which related to immigration offences.

Nationally, officers stopped more than 6,000 vehicles and engaged with more than 11,000 people. They also issued more than 900 fines totalling over £141,000.

Other items seized across the country included 491 vehicles, more than 17,000 packs of cigarettes, 40kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of more than £100,000, 22 weapons, 57 mobile phones and more than £600,000 in cash.

Wiltshire Police is encouraging anyone who notices suspicious activity at local businesses or has concerns about someone's welfare to report their concerns.

Information from the public can help officers identify potential victims of exploitation, investigate criminal activity and prevent further harm.

Residents can report concerns to Wiltshire Police online or by calling 101. Anyone witnessing an emergency should call 999.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through the Stop The Traffik charity.