Five people working illegally were discovered during an operation to tackle exploitation in Lancaster.
The businesses concerned have been issued with fines totalling £235,000, and thousands of pounds of tobacco and vapes were also seized as part of an operation.
Last week Lancaster Police’s Exploitation Team, along with Immigration and Trading Standards, visited five premises in the Lancaster and Morecambe area as part of an exploitation operation.
They targeted premises such as takeaways, mini markets and barbers, who were thought to be either using illegal workers to staff their businesses, housing workers in premises that are not suitable to be resided in, or thought to be involved in the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.
The operation resulted in the seizure of over £15,000 worth of illegal tobacco products and vapes, five people being detained for illegal working in the UK, the seizure of £4,000 under the proceeds of crime act from illegal working, £235,000 worth of fines being issued.
T/Detective Sergeant Culshaw, from Lancaster’s Exploitation Team, said: “This operation has been one of our most successful to date in the short amount of time that it ran.
“We have a strong relationship with our partners, which allows for all resources to be put to good use to protect vulnerable people and help disrupt the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.”
“You can report to police by calling 101, reporting online or calling 999 in emergencies. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”


Lancaster City Council agrees 2.99 per cent rise in Council tax share
Lancashire Police’s share of Council tax to rise by 5.4 per cent
Guys Thatched Hamlet closes suddenly after 46 years
Teenager spared jail for causing death of newborn child in Morecambe
Morecambe Town Council agrees budget and 2.46 per cent rise in Council tax share
Builders of new Lancaster housing development offer £2k cash pot to community groups
Lancaster centre welcomes mayor for opening of new community kitchen
Lancaster shop to close as high street gaming chain faces administration
Jim Bentley returns for second spell as Morecambe FC manager
Ashvir Singh Johal’s reign as Morecambe manager comes to an end
Lancaster writer's ghost story of Morecambe to be voiced by acting legend on Radio 4
Change of name announced for popular Morecambe bar
Opening announced for new Morecambe bistro inside former post office
Health watchdog report shows improvements to services at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
LISTEN: How Leo's Gym is making a difference in memory of young Morecambe boxer
LISTEN: Lancaster set to celebrate Chinese New Year
Lancaster’s Vue Cinema under new ownership
Lancaster city centre car park to close ahead of "catalyst for the development of the Canal Quarter"
Crews tackle commercial building fire in Lancaster
Heritage plaque to mark first Lancaster University site and Gillow factory

