£1.3m fraud probe raids on Shropshire businesses

Computers and business records were seized during raids on four Shropshire business premises today after investigations into a £1.3 million tax fraud.

Two businesses in Newport and sites in Whitchurch and Market Drayton were searched along with five others in the West Midlands and Staffordshire, and four vehicles.

And a couple from Wolverhampton were arrested at a property in the north west of Wolverhampton.

Adrian Farley, assistant director of criminal investigation for HM Revenue & Customs, said: "We are serious about identifying and tackling potential fraud at the earliest opportunity.

"Law abiding taxpayers and legitimate businesses can have every confidence we will act vigorously to detect and disrupt criminality and protect the UK economy from attack."

The 53-year-old man and 47-year-old woman are being quizzed on suspicion of fraud and money laundering offences.