Organised Immigration Crime (IOC)

What is Organised Immigration Crime?

Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) involves moving a person across borders without legal permission or documentation, with the assistance of an Organised Crime Group (OCG). OCG’s involved in immigration crime are highly exploitative of vulnerable adults and children and charge large sums of money for their illegal services. Those who cannot pay may be forced into modern slavery to work off their ‘debt’.

Organised Immigration Crime in southern Wales

The most common clandestine ways for migrants to enter the UK are in lorries or other commercial vehicles transported by rail or ferry, in commercial shipping containers, or in small boats.

In southern Wales, we have seen a rise in ‘lorry drops’ where migrants are made to leave a vehicle, usually a heavy goods vehicle, at a drop point. Drop points are often along the motorway network, sometimes close to a service station.

Spotting the Signs – As a Haulier

Haulier drivers are often approached by people smugglers. People smuggling is a serious offence. In 2019, 39 people died whilst hiding in a refrigerated lorry and those involved received a total of 92 years and 10 months in prison. Please help us to keep people safe.

Have you seen or suspected the following?

Other drivers being approached to carry items for payment
Unusual methods of payment or transactions between drivers and their customers
Regular breaches of security within the port complexes you visit
Suspicious or unusual activity by people or vehicles around wagons or trailers
Incorrect or unusual operation or appearance of wagons
An unusual modification to a trailer that you regularly see
Regular unexpected or last-minute route diversions by a driver or company
Unusually cheap services
Social media groups offering opportunities to bid for loads
Changing of number plates and potential convoy vehicles

Spotted signs of Organised Immigration Crime?

You can anonymously report to Crimestoppers online. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that works to help communities. Your anonymous report will be sent to the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate the crime you have reported. This could be your local police force, a Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), or a national partner such as the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Always call 999 in an emergency where you suspect threat to life.

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