(Corrects headline, first paragraph after prosecutor spokesperson corrected statement on what premises were searched to four private properties and Volkswagen's Wolfsburg location, not four Volkswagen locations)

BERLIN Prosecutors have searched Volkswagen's Wolfsburg location and four private properties on allegations of excessive salaries for members of the works council, the Braunschweig prosecutor's office said on Wednesday.

The reason for the raids that took place on Tuesday were salaries for works council members that allegedly violate a ban on preferential treatment in the Works Constitution Act, a spokesperson for the Braunschweig prosecutor's office said.

VW said it would cooperate with the prosecutors.

News agency dpa first reported the investigation.

(This story has been officially corrected after the prosecutor spokesperson said searches were conducted at four private properties and Volkswagen's Wolfsburg location, not four Volkswagen locations, in the headline and in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach, writing by Kirsti Knolle, editing by Miranda Murray)