ORFOLK, UK — Norfolk Police have partnered with Immigration Enforcement in a week-long operation aimed at disrupting organised immigration crime and protecting vulnerable migrants.
The enforcement activity, known as Operation Silent, took place between 24 and 28 November across Norwich, Thetford and King’s Lynn. Officers stopped vehicles being used for commercial purposes, including electric bikes, mopeds and vans.
Organised immigration crime often involves the exploitation of vulnerable people brought into the UK illegally and is frequently linked to modern slavery, human trafficking and drug distribution.
During the operation, officers carried out 70 immigration checks and arrested eight people for offences including illegal entry to the UK, illegal working and immigration overstays.
Two men were also arrested on suspicion of motor vehicle theft after being identified by the Moonshot ANPR team. The driver, Carl Byford, 39, of Aldershot, Hampshire, was charged with handling stolen goods, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. He appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 27 November, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight months in prison, banned from driving for 41 months and ordered to pay £187 in costs. No further action was taken against the passenger.
In a separate incident, officers stopped a man delivering food on an illegally modified e-bike. He initially provided false details, and further checks revealed he was in breach of bail conditions for a previous offence. He was arrested, appeared in court on 2 December, and was released on court-imposed conditional bail.
Police seized 15 illegally modified e-bikes and eight vehicles during the operation due to documentation offences.
PC Chris Leah, from Norfolk Police’s Commercial Vehicle Unit, said the operation helped disrupt illegal working in the delivery sector.
“Migrants working illegally are often exploited by criminal networks that control access to work accounts and documents. Working with Immigration Enforcement allows us to protect vulnerable people and dismantle the networks behind organised immigration crime.”
Norfolk Police say similar enforcement operations will continue across the county.
Members of the public are encouraged to report concerns about modern slavery or exploitation when it is safe to do so. Support and protection are available, and reports will always be taken seriously.
