Operation Carrie: Addressing Exploitation within Lincoln’s Gig Economy

A series of coordinated enforcement activities have been conducted across Lincolnshire as part of Operation Carrie, focusing on individuals operating within the gig economy who may be exploiting vulnerable workers, engaging in unlawful practices, or utilising fraudulent documentation. These proactive checks form a key element of ongoing efforts to safeguard both the public and the legitimate workers who rely on app‑based employment for their livelihoods.

The gig economy is characterised by short‑term, flexible work facilitated through digital platforms, including delivery, ride‑hailing, and courier services. While this model provides adaptability and convenience, it can also create conditions in which exploitation is more easily facilitated, particularly when safeguards are disregarded or intentionally circumvented.

One prevalent method of abuse involves the creation or registration of accounts using false or fraudulent information. Such accounts are subsequently transferred to individuals who are unable to sign up independently due to immigration status, insufficient documentation, or other barriers. In these arrangements, the individual performing the labour typically receives only a small proportion of the earnings, while the account holder retains the majority. This places workers in a vulnerable and unprotected position, often without access to basic employment safeguards.

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.

The use of false or fraudulent documents extends beyond attempts to conceal identity and instead represents a clear indicator of structured and sustained criminal behaviour.

By working closely with partner agencies, officers are able to identify and disrupt those who use Lincolnshire’s road network to facilitate criminal enterprises, whether this involves the transport of illegal goods, the exploitation of labour, the enabling of human trafficking, or other serious offences. Multi‑agency operations of this nature are essential to protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of local communities.

Across the county, the activity resulted in more than 120 vehicle stops, enabling officers to identify potential offenders, gather intelligence, and 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 collaborate operations of this nature

Officers collaborated closely with Immigration Enforcement and Trading Standards throughout the operation, demonstrating the effectiveness of multi‑agency partnership working in delivering shared objectives. The message remains clear: we are committed to ensuring the safety of Lincolnshire’s roads and communities. Those who use the road network to commit crime will be identified — and robust action will be taken.

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 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 vessels, sea vessels or air vessels and we sought to further developing 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."