Officers from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and Durham Constabulary raided the car wash in Burnopfield following allegations the workers there were being exploited.

Two Albanian men aged 32 and 42 were arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences.

Several potential victims were spoken to and were offered help and advice from a range of agencies, including the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. Three male victims, two Latvian and one Romanian, opted into the National Referral Mechanism, which means they will be given continued help and support over the next three months.

The suspects have been released under investigation as enquiries continue.

Hand car washes are one of the main industries where labour exploitation is said to happen, the GLAA reiterates in its statement. Working conditions at some car washes are also sometimes unsafe and dangerous, the statement adds, and even when the weather is bad, workers must carry on without appropriate clothing or equipment.

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