Two men arrested over modern slavery offences

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences after five foreign men were found aboard a fishing boat.

Police boarded the vessel at Portsmouth, Hampshire, on Thursday and discovered the five men.

Another four people have since been discovered. All nine individuals have been referred to the National Crime Agency as slavery victims.

A 30-year-old man from Annan in Dumfries and Galloway and a 33-year-old man from Southport in Merseyside are being questioned by police.

Confirming details about the case, a Hampshire Police spokesman said: “Police officers boarded a fishing boat at Camber Dock on East Street.

“They located five foreign men aged between 35 and 46 who were subsequently taken to a place of safety.

“On Friday, 8 December, four further foreign men aged between 25 and 57 made themselves known to police andwerealsoremovedtosafety. “All nine men have formally been referred to the National Crime Agency as victims of modern slavery.”