TWO people have been charged in connection with sex trafficking after being arrested in dawn raids across the county earlier this week.

Officers carried out the raids at homes in Blackburn and Preston on Wednesday August 25 and arrested four people on suspicion of human trafficking.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, two men have now been charged.

They are Andrei Vitan, 23, of Andrew Street, Preston who is charged with human trafficking and controlling prostitution and Nicolae Constantin, 23, of Palatine Road, Blackburn, charged with human trafficking, controlling prostitution and indecent exposure.

They were both due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates’ Court this morning (Friday, August 27).

Two other men, aged 37 and 38 from Blackburn, have been released under investigation.

Earlier this year the constabulary’s East Exploitation Team began Operation Elco looking into the activities of a trafficking ring operating in Blackburn and Preston.

The investigation began to show the group were operating and controlling the prostitution of women across different parts of the county and more widely.

Prostitution services and brothels were uncovered in Blackpool, Warrington, Norfolk and Leicester that were being controlled by the group.

Anyone who wishes to pass on information anonymously about human trafficking and modern slavery can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or complete an anonymous form online www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

There is also a national Modern Slavery Helpline offering confidential help and advice, which can be contacted on 08000 121 700.

Lancashire Victims Services can also be contacted on 0300 323 0085.