Police raid travel agencies in West Midlands
Police and trading standards officers have raided travel agencies in Birmingham following claims they have been using false licences to sell Muslims pilgrimages to Mecca.
At least four stores and several pop-up shops are being investigated for falsely claiming to hold ATOL and IATA licences to sell packages to Saudi Arabia for Muslims taking part in the annual pilgrimage, known as Hajj.
Officers from Birmingham Trading Standards joined West Midlands Police to carry out the raids in the Small Heath, Alum Rock and Sparkhill areas of the city, according to the Birmingham Post, during which documents and posters were seized from the premises.
No charges have been brought against the businesses concerned but investigations are continuing.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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