Police visited several car washes in Swindon on Monday while investigating concerns about modern slavery and immigration issues.

Officers spoke to staff at five hand car washes, including one on Bridge End Road, on Monday as part of Operation Aidant, a nationally-coordinated campaign that focuses on vulnerability and exploitation.

They arrested and then de-arrested one person to remove them from the location due to modern slavery concerns, and immigration officers dealt with an asylum seeker who had not been through any legal process.

Police found that all the paperwork at the premises was in order and they gathered what was described as "a considerable amount of intelligence" after the visits.

An Adver reporter was at the scene of the Bridge End Road visit, where officers in three cars turned up at 7am and spent most of the morning of July 10 there.

They spoke to the manager of the Evershine Car Wash while keeping the busy road open and allowing drivers to top up their fuel tanks and car wash staff to continue cleaning vehicles.

The police then left the scene at around 11.30am. The car wash supervisor drove away a few minutes later.

Acting Inspector Chris French, who helped lead the visits, said: “Operation Aidant is run every year and involves local forces working alongside partner agencies to focus on vulnerability, exploitation, and modern slavery.

“Our checks at premises across Swindon yesterday were aimed at ensuring that employees were working legally and being treated appropriately.

“It was a successful operation in collaboration with our partners and demonstrates that we will always take modern slavery and human trafficking incredibly seriously.

“We will always clamp down on employers breaching laws regarding immigration and employees rights.

“I would like to remind business owners that it’s your responsibility to check the immigration status of any employees you are hiring.”

A/Insp French and Acting Sergeant Nadia Aylett from the Stratton, Central Swindon North and West Swindon Neighbourhood Policing Team led the visits with support from Central South Swindon Neighbourhood Policing Team, Response and Specialist departments, as well as eight Immigration officers and Swindon Borough Council's lead housing enforcement officer.

Anyone with information about a suspected crime should report it via the Wiltshire Police website wiltshire.police.uk or call 101, or ring 999 in an emergency.