TWO people have been arrested following raids across Wirral as part of an investigation into human trafficking.

A 36-year-old woman from Liscard and a 37-year-old man from Bebington were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking offences and are currently being questioned by detectives.

Officers executed warrants at three business premises this morning (Wednesday, June 20).

Raids also took place at homes on Liscard Road and Westminster Road in Wallasey, Wallasey Road in Liscard, Sunnybank and Cedar Avenue in Bebington and Upton Road in Moreton as part of a police operation looking at human trafficking.

Detective sergeant Tara Denn said: "Offenders involved in human trafficking prey on extremely vulnerable people, often people who have come from a foreign country, do not know the language and are desperate to provide for themselves and their families.

"The offenders callously exploit that desperation for their own ends, and we are determined to put a stop to that.

"We are asking the public and employers to be vigilant around the potential for victims of human trafficking to be living and working in their communities.

"We want local people to be the eyes and ears of their communities.

"If you suspect something isn’t right, please trust your instincts and pick up the phone – it might be nothing, but one phone call could be all it takes to change somebody’s life for the better and ensure justice is done.

"The police have officers who are specially trained to investigate these crimes with expertise and sensitivity and I would encourage anyone who is a victim or has information to find the courage to come forward and report it to their local police force."

Anyone with information on human trafficking is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC.

Information can also be passed by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information