Five people have been arrested and £15,000 cash seized follow UK Border Agency (UKBA) raids across Croydon.

Officers visited Game On in George Street at 1pm on Tuesday, May 28 and arrested a 31-year-old Pakistani man who had overstayed his visa.

During a search of his home address in Eastney Road for travel documents, officers found more than £15,000 cash hidden in suitcases. The money was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

A 25-year-old man also working in Game On and initially gave false details. Further questioning found him to be an Afghan national who had overstayed his visa.

On Friday, May 31, officers visited Babylon Inn in North End, where they arrested a 24-year-old Chinese man who had overstayed his visa, before officers moved on to Gold Coast and Bar in Portland Road, South Norwood at about 7.40pm.

There a 24-year-old Kenyan woman who had overstayed her visa and a 34-year-old Ghanaian women who had entered the country illegally were both arrested.

Both Game On and Gold Coast face a potential fine of £20,000 and Babylon Inn could be fined £10,000 after being served notices by UKBA officers.

The businesses face a fine of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker found, unless they can provide proof the correct right-to-work checks were carried out.

All of those arrested, apart from the Pakistani man, have been transferred to immigration detention pending removal from the UK.

The Pakistani man has been placed on immigration bail while steps are taken to remove him.

Jill Smith of Immigration Enforcement team in south London said: "These arrests show that we will leave no stone unturned in our search for illegal workers.

"The message is clear. Those who are in the country illegally will be arrested and removed.

"Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, undermining legitimate businesses and taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work. "