An investigation is being carried out into the potential misuse of several Covid-19 relief loans provided to at least three Hertfordshire-based companies.

The investigation, which is being carried out by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), is also looking into the suspected unlawful marketing of Covid-19 vaccines.

As part of the investigation, three men aged 38, 34 and 26 were arrested by officers undertaking warrants at addresses in Hertford, Buntingford and Harlow on Wednesday.

Detective Inspector Rob Burns, from ERSOU’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “It is vital that all money handed out through Government support schemes during the pandemic was - and continues to be - used appropriately, and law enforcement will investigate when this is not the case.

“These arrests are part of an ongoing ERSOU investigation into fraud linked to the pandemic and our officers continue to follow a number of lines of enquiry."