Two men and a woman have been arrested in the Bootle area of Merseyside on suspicion of operating as gangmasters without a licence.

The 55- and 41-year-old men and 41-year-old woman were Czech nationals, based in the Bootle area. The arrests were made for suspected offences under Section 12 of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act (GLA) 2004 for the offence of operating without a licence.

The GLA and the Merseyside Human Trafficking Team spoke to a number of individuals found in the premises, while the 41-year-old man and the 41-year-old woman were also arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

GLA officers also seized documentation and computers and a large amount of cash was recovered from the property and seized by Merseyside Police.

Paul Whitehouse, chairman on the GLA says: “The GLA can confirm that there is an ongoing operation in the Merseyside area. It has been undertaken in partnership with Merseyside Police. Two properties in the Oxford avenue area of Bootle were entered under firearms warrants at approximately 10.30am on Tuesday. There have now been three arrests made on suspicion of operating as a gangmaster without a licence.

“I would like to take the opportunity to praise the work and co-operation of Merseyside Police, which has been first class throughout this operation.”

The investigation is continuing.