Flats above a takeaway were closed off after fire risks were uncovered during a series of visits to town centre businesses.

Nail bars, barbers and car washes in Maidstone were visited by officers as part of ongoing work to tackle and raise awareness about child sexual exploitation and modern slavery.

Representatives from Kent Police, Kent County Council, Home Office immigration enforcement and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, and Kent Fire and Rescue Service, among others, were involved.

Employees and managers were spoken to in businesses around town, including in Middle Row, Bank Street, Week Street, and Gabriels Hill.

During the visits, residential accommodation above a takeaway in Week Street was closed off due to fire regulation breaches.

One person was spoken to by officers due to not having a work permit, but was confirmed to be in the country legally.

Inspector Mark Hedges of Maidstone's community safety unit, said: "Our visits to these premises with other agencies have allowed us to educate staff on the possibility that they may see signs of child sexual exploitation and modern slavery.

"They are now fully aware of our determination to protect the most vulnerable in our society and know how to contact us if they have information that might assist us with this task.

"Nobody was arrested and ongoing inquiries are being conducted by a number of the agencies following the visits."