IMMIGRATION officials swooped on five addresses in Colchester.

At least two flats in Magdalen Street, in New Town, were raided by officials from the UK Border Agency.

The Home Office department refused to confirm the location of the other properties. Ten people were taken into custody yesterday.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "The UK Border Agency can confirm that an intelligence-led operation was carried out at five addresses in Colchester.

"Immigration officials have taken ten adults into custody and we are dealing with these individuals.

"We will detect, detain and remove those who have no right to be here or who pose a threat to the UK."

He refused to confirm the ages or gender of those arrested, or whether they had been working illegally.

The immigration officials were supported by Essex Police officers.