Two illegal invaders from China have been arrested for working at a well-known Chinese restaurant in Peterborough, police have announced.

Police officers were joined by about 12 immigration officials from across the south-east in the ‘intelligence-led’ operation at the Gourmet Plaza, in Cowgate.

Five unmarked people carriers swooped on the restaurant just after 6pm as diners were preparing to enter the premises for an early meal. The ‘closed’ sign remained up at the Gourmet Plaza as prospective customers were turned away by police and asked to come back at a later time.

As prospective diners and onlookers watched, officers led out two men of Chinese origin in handcuffs, just before 7pm. The pair were put into separate people carriers and driven away from the scene.

After the raid, an immigration officer, who did not want to be named, said: “We have acted and carried out the plan, and we are satisfied with the results today.”

As the last of the officers left, five members of staff rushed out of the restaurant and across Cowgate to confront an officer in what was believed to be a dispute about a warrant.

When another member of staff found the piece of paper they were seeking, the staff filed back into the eaterie.