Five people have been arrested over immigration breaches following a crackdown on illegal working in Tooting.

Three shops in the Upper Tooting Road and London Road areas were targetted during the dawn raids last Thursday (May 16).

Home Office immigration enforcement officers initially pounced on Azeem Halal Meat & Grocery, in Upper Tooting Road, where they arrested two Pakistani men, aged 24 and 30, who had both overstayed their visas.

Officers then visited Dimples Beauty, Upper Tooting Road, where a 26-year-old Pakistani woman was arrested for overstaying her visa.

Finally, a tip-off led them to Chittapa Restaurant & Bar, in London Road, where two Indian men, a 25-year-old who had overstayed his visa and a 46-year-old had entered the country illegally, were also taken away.

The businesses could face that a potential fine of £20,000 for Chittapa and Azeem and £10,000 for Dimples.

Jill Smith, head of the Home Office Immigration Enforcement team, said: "Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, undermining legitimate businesses and taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work."

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.