SUSPECTED illegal immigrants have been arrested in a raid on a former working men’s club near York city centre.

North Yorkshire Police officers surrounded the old Lawrence Street Working Men’s Club at 8am on Saturday, before forcing their way in.

Three Chinese men were later taken away for questioning by the immigration officials who believe the men had entered the country illegally.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “I heard loud hammering on the door of the old Lawrence Street Working Men’s Club.

“I heard shouts of ‘police’, ‘police’, so I went to my door and saw a swarm of officers at the front and the back of the property.

“Some of the officers were propping up a ladder outside the back of the property and climbing in through a window.”

The three men, aged 20, 28, and 52, have since been detained by the UK Border Agency. It is believed they had been living in the property for several months.

Sgt Peter Bainbridge, of North Yorkshire Police’s Neighbourhood Support Team, led the raids.

He said: “We executed the raid on the old Working Men’s Club in Lawrence Street.

“As a result of this warrant three people of Chinese origin were arrested as illegal immigrants.

“They were arrested and consequently transported to Harrogate Police Station where they were met by officials for the UK Border Agency for questioning.

“There were 14 police officers involved in the morning raid, including back up from local police community support officers.”

Previous operations staged by immigration officials in York include raids at The Gate Of India, Jaipur Spice restaurant, Tandoori Nights in Bootham, York Jumbo Chinese Buffet in George Hudson Street, The Bay Of Bengal in Bishopthorpe Road and the Happy Valley Chinese restaurant in Goodramgate.