OFFICERS from Wiltshire Police attended a car wash in Devizes yesterday following concerns about working conditions.

The visit was carried out at the Devizes Hand Car Wash in New Park Street by officers from the Human Exploitation and Emerging Threats (HEET) team in collaboration with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). As a result of the visit, a prohibition notice was served.

The inspection carried out by the HSE revealed that the site of the car wash was in breach of the electricity regulations and there was a real safety risk – workers were at risk of potentially fatal electric shocks, burns and fire due to the condition of the electrics across the site.

A HEET Team member said: “For the safety of the car wash workers, who also live on the site, and members of the public who visit the site for the service provided, the electricity supply to the site has been temporarily cut off and prohibition notices have been served on the owner. The supply will remain off until the required improvements have been made.

"We also had discussions with the workers on site who were found to be earning less than the minimum wage. We are liaising with HMRC's National Minimum Wage Team following the visit.

“This was a great example of partnership working alongside the HSE and I am pleased that we have been able to serve a prohibition notice for the safety of all those involved.”