Police seize e-bikes from Leeds city centre in immigration crime crackdown
The seizures were part of a big operation
Police have seized e-bikes from Leeds city centre as part of a crackdown on immigration crime.
A county-wide West Yorkshire Police operation targeted delivery drivers, who the force said are at particular risk of exploitation or immigration offences.
During the investigation, officers spoke with 56 e-bike riders, stopped and checked 21 vehicles and submitted 14 intelligence reports.
Police seized 15 e-bikes, including from Park Row in Leeds city centre.
Three people were arrested during the operation.
The crackdown was part of a national initiative, Operation Lockstream, which is targeting organised crime groups which facilitate illegal entry to the UK and illegal working.
A national intensification period from Monday September 21 to Monday October 5 focused on rail, road, and ports across the country.
Detective Inspector Victoria Daniel-Thomas, from the Modern Slavery Human Trafficking team, said: "The intensification period highlights the continued work that our officers and partners do to protect our region.
“The operation strengthened partnerships across law enforcement and external agencies, generated valuable intelligence, and contributed to ongoing efforts to safeguard vulnerable individuals while disrupting organised immigration crime, modern slavery, and human trafficking.
“Organised crime is connected to violence, exploitation and anti-social behaviour and we aim to identify and protect anyone at risk. We hope to make West Yorkshire a difficult place for organised criminal gangs to operate and ensure the safety of our communities.”
Police have shared the signs that someone is a victim of organised immigration crimes, including:
- No access to ID documents
- Physical or psychological abuse
- Debt bonded – paid less than minimum wage/ not paid
- Transported to and from work in vans, often in groups
- Being picked up and dropped off to work at unusual times
- Working very long hours
- Poor accommodation/overcrowding
- No formal contract of employment
- Inadequate work equipment
- Often accompanied/ chaperoned
- Being spoken for
- May not know their own address
- Poor language skills
A police spokesperson said: “If you see something that doesn’t look right, if you are worried about someone, or something looks suspicious, report it to West Yorkshire Police online using www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat.
“You can also report via the Home Office-endorsed charity Stop the Traffick.”