POLICE have made a ‘number of arrests’ after claims that businessess in Barrow town centre were threatened.

Officers also told The Mail they have stepped up patrols on Cavendish Street to ensure the safety of the public.

This came after takeaways were caught up in social media allegations of sexual abuse which owners have denied.

Two of the takeaways have been boarded up.

Officers have made a ‘number of arrests’ following claims people threatened the businesses and regular patrols have been carried out on Cavendish Street.

The owners of takeaways Mr Cheeko’s and Mithali and restaurants Barrow Indian Cusine and Dhaba have denied any wrongdoing following allegations on social media.

They were named by friends of a teenager who alleged she had been sexually abused by a gang of men in Barrow in a harrowing post on Facebook.

Wooden panels now cover the front of Mr Cheeko’s in Crellin Street and Mithali in Cavendish Street.

Signs of the front of Mr Cheeko’s have been removed and a notice on the window said: “This business is now closed.

“Locks have been changed back to landlord’s.”

At least four police officers were outside the takeaway yesterday morning.

Mr Cheeko’s had been in operation for around nine months after opening last year

Dhaba is still open for takeaways, according to some food apps.

Police said a 30-year-old man from Barrow was among those who had been arrested in connection to death threats against takeaway bosses.

Barrow’s MP Simon Fell has called for calm as police continue to investigate sexual abuse allegations.

He said: “I am closely monitoring this case and will do everything in my power to ensure that victims are protected, and that justice is done.

“Right now, when tensions are high, it is easy to scapegoat.

“But to do that would be wrong.

“Doing that risks tarring innocent people and opening a box which is very difficult to close. So, please – no matter how hard it may be – I urge you to exercise calm.”