A man and a woman have been arrested in connection with human trafficking and immigration offences after police uncovered an unsafe number of people living in a former Chinese restaurant.

Officers from Preston City Council, Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service executed a warrant at the former Hang Seng Oriental Foods on Corporation Street in Preston last week, uncovering multiple offences and safety breaches which led to arrests of the occupiers.

The initial intelligence pointed towards an unsafe number of occupiers and housing standards below safe and legal requirements.

However, during the inspection police arrested a man for human trafficking offences and a woman for immigration offences.

A number of fire safety concerns were also identified in the premises and the fire service is now conducting further investigations to address the concerns with those responsible for fire safety at the property.

Cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Preston City Council, Councillor Jennifer Mein, said: "It's always rewarding to hear of the successful outcome of multi-agency partnership working as in this case, and my thanks go to all the teams involved.

"The information gathered and shared led to a range of actions which ultimately protects tenants from those landlords that fail to manage their properties to an acceptable standard.

"The valued contribution many landlords make to the community is welcomed and appreciated, but rest assured our officers will make use of all the powers available to them to ensure the standards for tenants in Preston is safe and to a recognised standard."

Sergeant John Lovick at Lancashire Police, added: "This was an intelligence led, multi-agency operation which led to the subsequent arrests for human trafficking and immigration offences.

"Preston Police will continue to gather information and work proactively with our partners to ensure that individuals who are exploiting vulnerable persons are dealt with robustly.

"Intelligence continues to be gathered and I anticipate more such operations in the near future."