FIVE men have been arrested over 'extremely serious' allegations of child sex offences and human trafficking as a result of a police investigation relating to a Bolton-based travelling funfair.

The suspects – two aged 21 and three others aged 22, 49 and 54 – were detained in Bolton, Salford and Wigan.

They were arrested on Tuesday as a result of what police described as a 'large child sexual exploitation (CSE) investigation' relating to Northwest Funfairs, based at Showmans Park in Morris Street, Bolton, where a morning raid was carried out.

Detective Superintendent Joanne Rawlinson of GMP’s Public Protection Division said: "We have made these arrests as a result of a large scale investigation into the sexual exploitation of children across the North West.

"This remains a top priority for Greater Manchester Police and we take reports of this nature extremely seriously. We have a zero tolerance for this type of offence and we, along with our partners, are prepared to act immediately on any reports that are made. Under Project Phoenix, we have a recognised multi-agency response to CSE which brings together a number of partners who use their expertise to support and safeguard young people who are at risk of exploitation and target those who would try to exploit them."

Police said Northwest Funfairs operated at events across Greater Manchester and in Chester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

In the past the company has held funfairs at Queens Park in Spa Road and in Cheadle Square in Bolton town centre.

The firm was due to run a 10 day long Valentine's Family Funfair in Widnes, Cheshire, from tomorrow but the attraction has been cancelled in the wake of the arrests, Halton Council confirmed.

Superintendent Andrea Jones of GMP’s Bolton Division said: "Our operation has been successful and I know the local community will be understandably concerned when they hear about this.

"However I would like to assure them that we will be conducting a thorough investigation into these extremely serious offences.

"We take these matters extremely seriously and our first priority will always be to safeguard and offer support to any children who we believe have either been victims or are at risk of exploitation and we will be working closely with our partners to ensure that this happens.

“I would like to thank the public for their continued support and urge anybody who believes they have information that may help this investigation to please contact police.”

The five suspects, who were arrested on suspicion of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and human trafficking, have all been bailed pending further enquiries.

Nobody at the funfair was available for comment. 

Information for children, young people, parents, carers and professionals on how to identify the signs of child sexual exploitation and what to do about it can be found at www.itsnotokay.co.uk.

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 6020 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.