FOUR men have been detained on immigration offences after a crackdown on modern slavery and human trafficking in East Lancashire.

Police, Home Office immigration staff and officers from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs carried out searches at car washes, takeaways and nail bars in Blackburn, Burnley, Colne and Nelson as part of a week-long crackdown.

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The operation also saw a teenage boy found working in a car wash taken to a place of safety, and businesses fined a combined total of around £80,000 for breaching minimum wage legislation.

Police said 47 foreign nationals were spoken to but no welfare issues were raised.

And Detective Chief Inspector Sion Hall, who oversaw the operation, said future raids are planned. DCI Hall said: “It is disgusting that anyone would exploit a fellow human being for profit.

"My officers will continue to work night and day to ensure these people are identified and prosecuted to ensure their victims get the justice they deserve.”

DCI Hall said cheaper rental properties made East Lancashire susceptible to human traffickers who are only interested in maximising their profit margin.

Detective Sergeant Tony Atkins added: “It has been a really successful week and has enabled us to gather a large amount of intelligence to help us to build up a picture of activity across the county. Despite the fact that no slavery or trafficking offences were uncovered, our activity shows our commitment to rooting out this type of crime and we will continue to target those who choose to exploit others.”

The action comes as Home Secretary Amber Rudd pledge £11million to a Modern Slavery Innovation Fund, set up to tackle the crime in countries from which victims are trafficked.

Mrs Rudd also promised a further £3million in a dedicated Child Trafficking Protection Fund to be used to protect vulnerable children overseas and in the UK.

Anyone who believes someone is being trafficked should call police on 101.