Anti-slavery team swoop on property

VIETNAMESE TEEN MAY HAVE BEEN WORKING IN A NAIL BAR

INVESTIGATORS working to free victims of modern slavery have discovered a Vietnamese teenager at a property in Greater Manchester.

The specialist team were acting on intelligence from members of the public about a woman allegedly housing a number of vulnerable people who were working in nail bars.

When officers from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) visited the property in Wigan they found a young woman, who said she was 17. She was taken away from the address and moved into safe accommodation provided by the local authority.

No arrests have been made at this stage, the GLAA said.

However an investigation into the case is ongoing.

The GLAA have been working alongside Greater Manchester Police on the operation.

Officers visited an address in the town on Tuesday May 22.

They were acting on intelligence provided by the charity Crimestoppers.

When they raided the property they discovered the girl, who told officers that she was aged 17.

She was taken away from the address and moved into safe accommodation provided by the local authority.

The teenager has also been referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) - a framework for identifying victims of human trafficking or modern slavery. The NRM works to ensure that potential victims receive the appropriate support.

The authority is the UK’s foremost investigative agency for modern slavery and labour exploitation. Anyone who has concerns can speak to the GLAA on 0115 959 7082.