Tackling exploitation in gig economy

A co-ordinated operation to tackle exploitation in the gig economy has taken place in Lincolnshire.

The gig economy refers to short-term, flexible work accessed through digital platforms, including delivery, ride-hailing, and courier services, which can lead to exploitation of vulnerable workers and fraudulent activities.

Operation Carrie saw Lincolnshire Police work with Immigration Enforcement and Trading Standards officers in a series of enforcement activities to safeguard both the public and the legitimate workers who rely on app-based employment for their livelihoods.

Across the county, the activity resulted in more than 120 vehicle stops, enabling officers to identify potential offenders, gather intelligence and carry out intervention/education at an early stage where indicators of exploitation or driving offences were present.

The stops resulted in:

• Two arrests - one for recall to prison and one arrest for theft of a motor vehicle
• 27 insurance and traffic offences
• Five vehicles seized under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, including two drivers with no license and one with a provisional license.
• Vital information obtained to help direct future collaborative operations of this nature

 Key indicators of labour exploitation include:

• Absence of payment or significantly reduced payment
• Roles being shared or rotated between multiple individuals
• Excessive working hours with little or no rest
• The use of threats, coercion, or other forms of manipulation
• Workers trapped in cycles of debt that compel continued labour.

Such patterns can escalate into debt bondage and are frequently associated with wider criminal conduct including fraud, document offences, and organised exploitation. 

Andy Wright, Principal Trading Standards Officer working for Lincolnshire County Council said: “Our Officers were happy to be a part of Op Carrie. We regularly inspect business premises and frequently come across people working illegally. It is important to remember in many cases those people are themselves being actively exploited. We find people working extremely long hours, for very little pay, sometimes in atrocious living conditions. In short, they are being used as cheap labour, allowing the business to undercut law abiding competition. We will continue to work with partners and do what we can to address these issues”.

Detective Inspector Paul Sands said: "I’m grateful for all the staff and partners participation in this operation, which is supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council on Modern Slavery/Organised Immigration Crime under Project Terminus, a national project to encompass all of policing’s efforts to combat those who facilitate irregular and unsafe migration to the United Kingdom. 

“This can be by road, sea or air and we sought to further develop information working in partnership to help us tackle this.  This phase focused on road networks, delivery drivers specifically, and we will continue effective working with partners across Lincolnshire to disrupt any criminal activity and to make people feel safe."