THREE men have been arrested after police raided car washes in Redditch looking into human trafficking.

Recently, as part of on-going work within the Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement Strategy (MATES) in Redditch, three car washes, one hairdressers, and a takeaway were visited in a day of action.

The raids comprised officers from West Mercia Police (WMP), Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service (HWFRS), Home Office Immigration (HOI), Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) and council officials from a range of functions including licensing, housing and water management.

The operation sought to identify issues of modern slavery, exploitation of vulnerable people, human trafficking, which includes illegal working and the condition of the accommodation above the businesses where employees resided as well as fire regulations, licensing and business regulations.

During the course of the visits HOI made three arrests for immigration offences.

HWFRS issued advice and notifications for improvement in fire safety while WRS is reviewing the water waste disposal management within the three car washes following the visits.

Redditch Safer Neighbourhood team inspector Mark Chappell said: "We received information from the community about some of the establishments concerned in our visits and acted upon this with our partners.

"This visits demonstrates the effectiveness of our partnership working in Redditch and the successful interventions which ultimately protect members of our community.

"It is important that people running businesses in Redditch comply with the law, fire safety and council regulations for operating businesses."