Eight men arrested following police raids in Cornwall
It was part of an operation against an alleged scam where drivers can avoid prosecutions
Last updated 11th Oct 2023
Eight men have been arrested in connection with an investigation into an alleged scam where motorists can avoid speeding points and fines, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
Raids were carried out by more than 60 officers at 12 residential and commercial premises in Falmouth, Penzance and Newquay, as part of a crackdown on a suspected Notice of Impending Prosecution (NIP) farm.
NIP farms are used to supply fake driver details to police for motorists to avoid prosecution for traffic offences.
Six of the suspects were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. One of those was also held on suspicion of modern slavery offences.
A further two men were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.
A quantity of suspected illegal tobacco was seized as part of inquiries.
Inspector Tim Evans, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "Tackling suspected organised crime and protecting vulnerable people in West Cornwall is a priority for the neighbourhood policing team.
"The action taken is the culmination of a significant amount of work in conjunction with several partner agencies.
"As a result of our attendance at some of the addresses, police identified unsafe living conditions and a partnership response was required to safeguard vulnerable people."
Anyone with information is being urged to contact police via their website or by calling 101 quoting Operation Heatlamp.
Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.