The Home Office has made a massive wave of arrests in a nationwide crackdown on illegal migrant workers .

Officers have been out in force across the UK to disrupt “rogue employers” who have hired migrants illegally and exploited vulnerable people.

The Government adds that this addresses the promise of illegal jobs that are used by criminal smuggling gangs to sell spaces in small boats crossing the English Channel.

Particular focus, officials say, has been on targeting car washes, nail bars, supermarkets and construction sites suspected of hiring illegal workers and subjecting them to “squalid conditions” and illegal working hours at below minimum wage.

The Home Office said: “Border security is a core part of the government’s mission-driven Plan for Change. Since taking office, ministers have immediately redeployed 1,000 additional people into Immigration Enforcement.

“As part of activity to tackle illegal working, Immigration Enforcement also plays a critical safeguarding role, working closely with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and other organisations to allow employees to report labour exploitation.

“More biometric fingerprinting kits will also be deployed to the frontline, allowing officers to check those they apprehend in illegal working raids against police databases on the spot, rather than having to take them to local police stations.”

In London, nearly 1,000 enforcement visits have been carried out across the capital since the summer.

In the east of England, between July and November, 191 visits resulted in 132 arrests and 94 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals in the east of England. This means the employers could face a fine of up to £60,000 per worker if found guilty.

In the Midlands, between July and November, 665 visits resulted in 427 arrests and 305 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals.

During one visit to a factory in Stratford Upon Avon, 11 arrests were made on suspicion of illegal working offences.

In south central England, between July and November, 260 visits resulted in 213 arrests and 165 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals.

In south east England, between July and November, 278 visits resulted in 173 arrests and 130 premises receiving civil penalty notice referrals.

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Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle MP said: “Dismantling criminal gangs and restoring order to our asylum system is a key part of our Plan for Change.

“That’s exactly why we are clamping down on illegal working to prevent this abuse of our immigration system and safeguard those who are sold a false promise about their ability to live and work here.

“Since the election, arrests and enforcement visits have deliberately increased, demonstrating that we will not tolerate any hiding place from law enforcement.”

Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration Enforcement Eddy Montgomery said: “This activity demonstrates our laser focus on holding employers to account and safeguarding those who are made to work in squalid conditions.

“I am proud of the teams across the country, for their hard work in accelerating this activity in recent months to prevent exploitation and ensure those who break the law face consequences.”