FIVE people were arrested today in a series of raids targeting a North-East college suspected of being used for immigration crime.

The arrests follow an extensive investigation into Castle College, in Gateshead, carried out by the UK Border Agency's North-East Immigration Crime Team.

In the wake of the arrests the independent college's licence to enrol overseas students was suspended.

Agency officers were on site at the college premises today advising and assisting genuine students arriving for studies.

Four of those arrested are senior staff at the college, described as a privately-owned institute of further education.

A college student found to have breached the terms of her visa was the fifth person arrested.

The raids were at residential addresses in Saltwell Road, Gateshead, and Moorside Court, Newcastle, as well as at the college, in Park Road, Felling.

Those arrested on suspicion of facilitating immigration offences are a 37-year-old woman, and men aged 41 and 37, all said to be Pakistani, plus a 33-year-old Bangladeshi man.

All were being interviewed at police stations in Newcastle.

A substantial amount of cash was also seized from a college safe.

In a simultaneous operation, at an address in Ellesmere Road, Newcastle, the student, a Nigerian woman, was arrested on suspicion of over-staying her visa.

The agency said steps are to be taken to remove her from the country.

Paul Foggin, who leads the agency's regional immigration crime team, said: "These raids are the result of a long and complex investigation.

"Those arrested are now in police custody and will be questioned today."

Jeremy Oppenheim, the agency's regional director, said: "The UK Border Agency takes immigration crime very seriously and will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action against those involved.

"We have dedicated teams of UK Border Agency investigators working with police officers across the country to protect our border and prosecute those criminals who undermine and abuse our immigration control."

Anyone with information about those who may be involved in immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, via the freephone line (0800) 555111.