200 migrant ‘slaves’ rescued in morning raid on f lower farm
AROUND 200 migrant workers were rescued by anti-slavery police yesterday in an early-morning raid on a flower farm.
Three men were arrested amid suspicions the eastern Europeans were victims of modern slavery offences.
Last night, as the migrants were being supported by council and charity staff, police remained at the entrance to the remote farm on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall.
It is thought to be run by a father and son who are tenants of Bosahan Estate. Satellite images show rows of what appear to be static caravans in the grounds of the complex, although only one caravan could be seen from the road yesterday.
Devon and Cornwall Police said yesterday’s operation involved the Gang Masters Labour Abuse Authority, HMRC, Cornwall Council and the Salvation Army.
Most of those affected are thought to hail from Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria.
Officers said a 61-year-old man and a 41- year- old man were arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences.
A 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being an unlicensed gangmaster. The three men, from the Helston area, are in police custody.
The force said the ‘safeguarding of the welfare’ of the 200 or so workers was being managed by the council, with support from the Salvation Army and the British Red Cross, at a reception centre. Of these, a dozen men and two women – all aged between 20 and 40 – had sought help through a referral unit that offers potential victims support.
A Cornwall Council spokesman added: ‘The people being supported are not in trouble and they are not being detained. They are free to leave at any time but will be encouraged to take up the offers of help that are available. All agencies are working together to help the alleged victims over the next 72 hours, after which an assessment will be carried out to decide next steps.’
The affected workers are being helped with temporary accommodation, medical treatment and other employment opportunities. A representative of Bosahan and Halvose Farm, which operates under the name RH Scrimshaw and Sons, declined to comment on the raid.
Michael Tylor, a trustee of Bosahan Estate, said: ‘I don’t know anything about the investigation – it has nothing to do with the estate.’