CHILD exploitation gangs may be using car washes as a cover, a report by a kids’ charity has warned.

Barnardo’s claims girls are being ferried from one unit to another as sex slaves for Kurdish immigrants.

3 A car wash is being used as a cover for sex abuse Credit: Alamy

3 Report says child exploitation gangs may be targeting Brit girls Credit: Getty Images

It suggests white British girls on the run from the care system in Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough are being targeted.

The report said: “There were connections between people that work in car washes and the sexual exploitation of children on Teesside.

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“It is similar to patterns that we have found across the North East region.” The report follows raids by police in 2015 on five car washes in Hartlepool.

3 Barnardo’s claims girls are being ferried from one car wash to another for sex Credit: Alamy

Officers on the immigration-led operation found beds at one. It was suggested staff were living on the premises.

Cleveland Police said: “It was not confirmed that child sexual exploitation had taken place although enquiries were conducted.”