OFFICERS raided a takeaway and a terraced house just yards from Laindon police station.

Officers from Essex Police and the Home Office’s Border Force carried out synchronised raids on a house in Little Oxcroft, Laindon, and at the Zara Indian takeaway, in High Road, Laindon, at about 6.30pm last night.

Officials questioned five people working in the kitchen of the takeaway after they received intelligence some could be in the country illegally.

In Little Oxcroft, officers found about ten beds crammed in to a terraced house.

The house was searched and a number of people were detained while the authorities checked their identification documents.

As police were searching the property, an elderly Asian man arrived and was detained by police.

Late last night officials were still checking identification documents and it is not known if anyone was arrested. Essex Police set up the joint operation with the Border Force after receiving intelligence about antisocial behaviour at the house in Little Oxcroft.

One neighbour in Little Oxcroft, who did not want to be named, said: “It is surprising.

Shocking really.

“The ones we spoke to were always very nice and pleasant.”

PC Benjamin Gribble, from the Laindon Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The operation follows on from concerns raised by residents in the community about antisocial behaviour in Little Oxcroft.

“We then did some further intelligence gathering and realised there may have been a link to the takeaway.

“That is when we decided on a joint approach with the immigration service.

“Obviously we are still interviewing a number of people, but it looks like a successful operation.

“People living and working illegally have an impact on our community and residents should know we are ready to respond to their concerns.”