Three people have been detained after a raid at a car wash found they were working illegally in the country.

The trio were detained after Kent Police joined forces with the Home Office Immigration, fire service and Maidstone council.

A car wash in Upper Stone Street, Maidstone, was targeted last Thursday following initial inquiries in December which found the owners were allowing staff to live on site.

After receiving further information around suspected illegal activity the car wash was raided where the three illegal workers were discovered.

Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid, lead member for communities and public engagement said: “This is a fantastic example of the joint work taking place with our Community Protection Team and Kent Police, sharing information and then carrying out a joint operation.”

The council said one of its main priorities is the Safe Clean and Green campaign which hopes to ensure Maidstone is a safe place to live and to make residents feel safe.

Cllr Parfitt-Reid continued: “This type of operation demonstrates how working together means we get the results delivering on our priority of making people safe and feel safe.

"With the new Maidstone Town Centre Task Force we can really achieve that.”

To contact the MBC Community Protection Team please email: communityprotection@maidstone.gov.uk.