Two vans displaying adverts encouraging illegal immigrants to leave the UK voluntarily or face arrest will be driven across six London boroughs over the next week in a Home Office pilot scheme.

The vans will be driven around Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hounslow and Redbridge showing how many illegal residents have been arrested recently and show a text number that migrants can text to arrange their return home.

Adverts on the vans will read ‘In the UK illegally?  Go home or face arrest.  Text Home 78080 for free advice and help with travel documents.'  In addition, the areas will be flooded with leaflets, posters and messages in local newspapers reinforcing the benefits of illegal migrants returning home of their own accord.

Home Office officials chose these areas as suitable for assessment through the pilot because they either have significantly higher or lower rates of voluntary return – which are the most cost-effective means of repatriating illegal immigrants.

Last year 28,000 voluntary returns were arranged and the pilot follows the launch of consultations released earlier this month, ahead of the Immigration Bill due to be introduced later this year. 

The Bill will seek to restrict illegal migrants access to public services such as the NHS and the right to live and work in the UK.  It would also force landlords to ascertain the immigration status of their tenants and impose tougher fines and penalties on employers that continue to exploit illegal immigrants.

‘We are making it more difficult for people to live and work in the UK illegally,' said immigration minister, Mark Harper: 

‘Every single day our enforcement officers are arresting, detaining and removing people with no right to be in the UK.  But there is an alternative to being led away in handcuffs.  Help and advice can be provided to those who cooperate and return home voluntarily,' Mr Harper added