POLICE officers in Thurrock have played a part in bringing the perpetrators of a quarter of a million pound fraud to justice.

The fraud involved stealing the life savings of at least one man.

Yesterday morning (Monday, 10 August) officers and trading standards officers in Thurrock were deployed in an operation which was run by Wiltshire Trading Standards' investigative team with support being provided by the National Trading Standards South West Regional Enforcement Team and Essex Police.

A statement from Trading Standards said: "Yesterday Essex Police arrested three suspects in relation to alleged consumer protection, fraud and money laundering offences.

"The suspects were interviewed at an Essex police station by officers from Wiltshire Trading Standards and the South West Regional Enforcement Team and subsequently released under investigation. Enquiries are ongoing."

Yesterday police officers in Thurrock took to social media to say: "This morning B shift CPT and OSG along with Trading Standards executed a warrant at one address and attended two other address for arrest attempts, in relation to rogue traders, money laundering and other fraud offences totalling around £250,000. One incident of note involving a man's life savings.

"The operation was positive and resulted in three people in police custody and further evidence gained."