Three illegal immigrants have been detained after the Home Office carried out raids in Walthamstow this week.

The immigration enforcement officers and police acted on public tip-offs to swoop on three fabric shops in Queens Road on Wednesday, arresting three men.

A 27-year-old from Anaar Kali Fabrics was taken into custody for overstaying his visa and a 28-year-old man from Mehat Fabrics was detained for the same reason.

A 44-year-old man from Emaan Fabrics was discovered to have entered the country illegally.

The trio are now in an immigration detention centre until they are deported.

David Seymour-Smith, head of the North London Home Office Immigration Enforcement team, said: “These arrests show there is nowhere to hide for those who are in the country illegally. Anyone we find doing so faces arrest and removal.

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

“I would urge members of the public with information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch.”