TWO men have been arrested at a Maldon car wash on suspicion of immigration offences.

As part of a dedicated operation to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery this week, officers from our Operational Support Group (OSG) and an Intelligence Officer have arrested three men whilst carrying out visits today on four car washes in North Essex.

The visits aimed to ensure staff at the car washes were not victims of human trafficking and modern slavery and to ensure staff had a safe working environments.

The team carried out their first visit at a car wash in Little Waltham.

Whilst carrying out this visit, they arrested a 35-year-old man was wanted on a European Arrest Warrant from Italy.

The second visit was carried out at a car wash in the Chelmsford area which was all in order.

Officers carried out their third visit at a car wash in Maldon which was also found to be all in order.

Whilst carrying out their fourth visit at a car wash in the Maldon area, the team arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of Immigration Acts Offences.

He was taken to Chelmsford custody to be dealt with by Immigration Services.

They also arrested a 26-year-old man at the same location on suspicion of Immigration Acts Offences.

He was also taken to Chelmsford custody to be dealt with by Immigration Services.

For more information on how to spot the signs and how to report human trafficking and modern slavery, visit: www.essex.police.uk/beavoice