The UK Home Office has ignited a firestorm of criticism with the launch of a new TikTok account that posts dramatic footage of immigration raids and deportations, with leading charities accusing the government of turning "brutality into clickbait."
'Restoring Order' or 'Performative Cruelty'?
An account named @SecureBordersUK appeared on the platform on Tuesday, bearing the slogan "Restoring order and control to our borders." Its inaugural video, a 20-second clip, shows individuals being handcuffed and escorted onto planes, alongside scenes of enforcement officers arresting suspected illegal workers. The video concludes with an on-screen message stating: "And it’s just getting started."
Sile Reynolds, head of asylum advocacy at Freedom From Torture, condemned the approach. "This government is clearly hooked on the cheap political points it can score by turning the brutality of enforcement raids into clickbait online entertainment," she said. Reynolds warned that such communication "provokes the kind of anxiety and fear that fuelled the summer riots and the recent violence directed at asylum hotels."
Charities Condemn 'Hopeless' Narrative
Reynolds further argued that the public is "increasingly alarmed" by what she termed the government's "performative cruelty" towards migrants. She urged ministers to focus on national unity and to use its social media presence to "tell a more hopeful story about our capacity to welcome those seeking sanctuary in the UK."
Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, dismissed the tactic's effectiveness. "Only a small proportion of refugees in Europe come to the UK. Those that do come here do so because they have existing links with the UK," he stated, citing family ties, language, and cultural connections. His verdict on the videos was blunt: "TikTok videos will not change this."
Record Enforcement Figures Released
The controversial social media push coincides with the publication of new Home Office data showing a significant surge in enforcement activity. The figures reveal that in 2025, 12,791 visits were made to businesses like nail bars, car washes, and takeaways to check for illegal working—a 57% increase from the 8,122 visits carried out in 2024.
Arrests also hit a record high, with 8,971 people detained last year. This marks a near 59% rise compared to the 5,647 arrests made in 2024, which was previously the highest point since current records began in 2019. Of those arrested so far, 1,087 individuals have been removed from the UK.
Defending the actions, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said, "There is no place for illegal working in our communities. That is why we have surged enforcement activity to the highest level in British history so illegal migrants in the black economy have nowhere to hide." The Home Office has stated the TikTok account aims to tackle online misinformation and deter dangerous Channel crossings.
However, the strategy has drawn scorn from political opponents. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp labelled it "yet another pathetic gimmick that won’t work." He added, "The idea that putting some posts on TikTok will stop illegal immigrants is laughable – just like the government’s previous gimmick to smash the gangs."
