The owner of a Walton car wash has been arrested in a police sting for potential offences of slavery and human trafficking.

Two people were referred to the Immigration Enforcement with a further 14 workers being safeguarded after Surrey Police officers raided Magic Car Wash in Molesey Road on Wednesday, November 23. 

£5,000 was also seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act in the raid.

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: "The clampdown focused on establishing the status of the workers to see if any were victims of human trafficking or were being exploited through slavery, poor living conditions or low and non-existent wages."

The sting was part of Operation Cloudburst, aimed at targeting offences associated with organised crime and known to have links with car washes across the UK.

The operation was undertaken in cooperation with the National Crime Agency (NCA), UK Immigration Services, Elmbridge Council, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Detective Inspector Gary Patterson said: "Many hand car washes are legitimately run and I would like to thank those car wash operators who cooperate with us.

"Those sites that aren’t operated legally can have a significant impact on our communities and it is our duty to keep people safe from harm.

"Wednesday’s activity provided an opportunity for car wash employees to speak safely and confidentially to police and other enforcement agencies regarding their status and working conditions.

"We had the opportunity to discover exactly what the premises are being used for and can take appropriate action to ensure legitimate trading is taking place.

"I would appeal to members of the public to inform us if they have any concerns about such sites, whether those concerns relate to immigration, exploitation of individuals, minimum wage or the hidden economy.

"If you get your car washed at a site and the price seems too good to be true, ask yourself what’s the real cost and is anyone being exploited in the process."

Paul Lillywhite, head of the NCA's Modern Slavery Human Trafficking Unit, said: "Modern slavery is a crime that exploits the most vulnerable people in our society, often in the form of labour exploitation.

"The NCA is committed to working with partners across law enforcement to pursue the criminals involved in this vile trade in human misery."

The 33-year-old owner of the car wash, arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, money laundering and two counts of assault has been released on bail until December 15.