Darlington modern slavery raid: Three arrested
- Published
The raid was part of the force's Operation Sledgehammer campaign against organised crime
Three men have been arrested at a car wash on suspicion of committing modern slavery offences.
Durham Police raided Best Hand Car Wash on Yarm Road, Darlington on Wednesday morning and arrested two men, aged 21 and 26.
They subsequently arrested a third man, aged 28. All three are in police custody.
Det Sgt Tonya Cook, who led the investigation, said "modern slavery is an emerging threat nationally".
She asked people to "think about where you get your car washed or where you get your nails done".
"It is everyone's responsibility to look out for potential victims," she said.
Five men, suspected of being victims of slavery, were found working at the car wash, police said.