Lewisham Council to Halt Assistance with Immigration Raids

Lewisham Council has formally agreed a motion to cease assisting Home Office immigration raids whenever legally feasible. This move, proposed by the Green administration, was confirmed at a full council meeting. The resolution also mandates a review of the council's existing data-sharing and service contracts, with a commitment to avoid using public funds or council resources for immigration enforcement activities.

Increased Enforcement in Lewisham

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Data obtained by the organisation Lewisham Anti-Raids indicates that the borough has become a significant location for immigration enforcement operations. In 2025, the SE13 postal area alone saw 177 such raids. Across all of London during the same year, immigration enforcement teams conducted 2,715 visits related to illegal working and raids, leading to 2,172 arrests. This represents an increase from the previous year, when 2,008 raids were recorded.

Council's Stance on Raids

Greens councillor Hau-Yu Tam, who put forward the motion, highlighted recent incidents, including raids at a nail bar and a car wash. She described these operations as "political theatre" and "a theatre of cruelty", questioning their effectiveness in enhancing community safety. Mayor of Lewisham Liam Shrivastava expressed pride in the council's decision, stating that immigration raids create fear and hinder victims of modern slavery and trafficking from seeking help. The council intends to work with Lambeth and other Green-led councils to create a 'sanctuary corridor' across parts of London, fostering collaboration with migrant support organisations and community groups.

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A spokesperson for the Home Office stated that immigration enforcement is intelligence-led and that the department makes no apologies for working with local authorities to share information and combat criminals involved in immigration crime. The spokesperson also noted that immigration enforcement action has increased significantly under the current government, with a substantial rise in illegal working arrests and raids between July 2024 and December 2025.

Expert Analysis

Professor Jonathan Darling, a geographer at Durham University, commented that Lewisham's approach reflects the limitations councils face in opposing Home Office policy. He suggested that while non-cooperation may hinder raids, it is unlikely to stop them entirely. Professor Darling noted that denying access to information and refusing coordination on housing, education, and health services with immigration enforcement could impede operations. He also suggested that informing migrant communities about their rights during enforcement encounters could be a significant factor in reducing the effectiveness of raids.