DPD depot raid leads to arrest of 18 workers

Eighteen workers were arrested following an immigration raid at a DPD depot in Dudley Port, Wolverhampton, as part of a crackdown on illegal working within the parcel delivery industry. Home Office officials conducted the operation on Tuesday, detaining the workers on suspicion of immigration offences.

DPD has been issued a Civil Penalty Referral Notice, prompting investigations into whether the company breached legal obligations regarding right-to-work checks. If investigators determine that the company failed to perform required pre-employment checks, DPD could face fines of £45,000 per worker, rising to £60,000 for repeat offences, or potential criminal prosecution.

A Home Office spokesperson stated that immigration enforcement activity has reached record levels under the current government, with illegal working arrests increasing by 122 per cent. DPD issued a statement asserting that the company takes its employment responsibilities seriously and maintains that right-to-work checks are in place.