ARRESTS have been made after police and Immigration searched a car wash in Andover following concerns raised around employee welfare.

Hampshire Constabulary officers, along with Immigration, Southern Water, The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the DWP, visited Magic Hand Car Wash, in Hanson Road, on Wednesday, October 4.

The visit was made following concerns being raised about employee welfare. During the search Immigration made arrests and issued a Civil Penalty Referral Notice to the employer, which carries a potential fine of up to £20,000 per worker who is employed without permission to do so.

A post on the Test Valley Cops Facebook page said: “You may have seen that some of our officers were at the Magic Hand Car Wash, Hanson Road in Andover, this morning.

“Officers from the Priority Crime Team, Neighbourhood Enforcement Team, District Policing Team, and local Neighbourhood Policing Teams, attended the site following concerns being raised to us around employee welfare.

“Officers were there to assist our partners in Immigration, Southern Water, The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and DWP.

“As a result, we have taken positive action to safeguard those individuals and our investigation is ongoing.

“Our colleagues in Immigration made arrests and issued a Civil Penalty Referral Notice to the employer, which carries a potential fine of up to £20k per worker who is employed without permission to do so.

“This is all part of our diverse work to protect our communities and keep vulnerable people safe.”