Trading Standards have been contacted after a 16-year-old boy was found by Cheshire Police drinking at a Nantwich commercial premises.

The discovery, at an unnamed premises on Welsh Row, came after 220 officers from across Cheshire Police took part in a month‑long organised immigration crime and night‑time economy safety operation.

Between Friday 13 February and Sunday 15 March, officers from Cheshire Police's Foreign National Offender Team, with assistance from Home Office Immigration, carried out 24 proactive deployments across the county.

The purpose of the operation, conducted in town centres and night‑time economy settings, was to complete immigration checks on delivery drivers, ensuring they were legally allowed to work in the UK and were not being exploited under modern slavery offences.

Officers also focused on tackling violence against women and girls and were further supported by local authority CCTV operators, who monitored areas in real time.

During the deployment on 21 February, a 16‑year‑old boy was found drinking at the Welsh Row premises and was subsequently taken home by officers.

Trading Standards were then contacted regarding a review of the premises' licensing.

Operational Lead, Detective Sergeant Lauren Henthorn said: "Conducting over 1,000 individual stops is no small feat, and these results were only possible due to the combined efforts of the officers deployed across the county and the support of our partner organisations.

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"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for helping us achieve such outcomes.

"The work carried out under Operation Ascertain forms just one part of our wider ongoing efforts to keep residents across Cheshire safe and ensure that those working within our towns are doing so legally and safely, without being exploited for free labour.

"We often find that those involved in the exploitation of vulnerable people are also linked to other forms of criminality, including wide‑scale drug and human trafficking offences. This is why we remain committed to doing all we can to identify those responsible.

"I also hope these results provide reassurance to residents county‑wide that officers are out in their communities and night‑time economy settings, working proactively to ensure everyone can enjoy themselves without fear of having their night disrupted or ruined by those who do not know how to behave."

Anyone with information relating to child abuse or exploitation, or who has concerns about someone's safety, should contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or report online via the force website.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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