Seven courier drivers have been arrested in Cheltenham and Gloucester for overstaying their visa periods and breaching immigration bail conditions. The arrests were made during a coordinated operation involving Gloucestershire Roads Policing Unit, Immigration Officers, and the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
The multi-agency patrols focused on checking that delivery drivers possessed the correct insurance documentation and had the legal right to work in the UK. Although over 100 food delivery drivers were stopped during the operation, all were found to have valid food accounts, adhered to their visa terms, and were legally permitted to work.
Among those arrested were five individuals who had overstayed their visa periods and two others who violated immigration bail conditions. It is important to note that those arrested were working as courier drivers rather than food delivery drivers.
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The operation also saw the seizure of a modified e-bike, fitted with a motor that could potentially exceed the legal speed limit of 15.5 mph. In addition, a van was confiscated due to a lack of insurance and tax, as the driver’s policy did not cover food deliveries.
In total, officers stopped nine e-bikes, seven mopeds, and six vans for various insurance-related issues.
PC Merchant of the Roads Policing Unit commented: “I am pleased that all the food delivery drivers we engaged with were following the rules and guidelines, and I hope this reassures local residents. We recognise concerns about anti-social driving involving food delivery staff and will continue carrying out operations like this in the coming months.”