Workers with the wrong equipment or living at the site are among the signs of suspected modern slavery to look out for at hand car washes, according to an expert.

Darryl Dixon, director of strategy at the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the agency which investigates worker exploitation, said while the signs may not necessarily be modern slavery offences, reporting them can help with investigations.

Mr Dixon was speaking to the Stray Ferret following the sentencing of Defrim Paci, the sole owner of Harrogate Hand Carwash on Sykes Grove, for crimes he committed at another car wash in Carlisle.

Paci was jailed for 45 months for the mistreatment and exploitation of workers who travelled to the UK from their native Romania in search of better lives.

Speaking about the potential signs of modern slavery at hand car washes, Mr Dixon said the number of workers, whether they have the right equipment and buildings which are seemingly used for accommodation were the most common.

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However, he added that those may not amount to offences.

Mr Dixon said the GLAA often gets reports from the public on car washes because as businesses they are visible and used frequently by people.

He said:

“There could be issues with the information. Sometimes the information we get is low level or low quality.

“You need a lot of information to see if there is modern slavery.”

But, Mr Dixon said it was important for people to continue to report issues to the authorities.

He said:

“It’s important to report something if you think it looks like a problem.

“The more information we get can help us build a picture and assess if something is going on.”

Those wishing to report potential modern slavery at a hand car wash can do so through the Safe Car Wash app, which was set up by the Church of England’s anti-slavery arm, the Clewer Initiative, and the Catholic Church.

The information reported is anonymised and is shared with the National Crime Agency and Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

Six workers have been rescued from a takeaway in Ripon after residents raised concerns about their living and working conditions.

Representatives from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Harrogate Borough Council, the police, fire service and Immigration Enforcement, a division of the Home Office, swooped on the takeaway, which has not been named, on Wednesday last week.

The six people safeguarded during the visit have been placed in temporary accommodation.

Officers noted several possible indicators of labour abuse but could not find any signs of modern slavery offences, according to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority,

The council and the fire service will now investigate a number of housing and fire safety issues at the property.

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The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority works in partnership with other agencies to investigate labour exploitation.

Contact Crimestoppers anonymously if you suspect someone is being exploited for labour on 0800 555111.