Four arrested after police slavery raids
A major investigation into modern slavery in Doncaster has resulted in four arrests as police carry out raids across the area.
The British Red Cross was drafted in to offer support.
A MAJOR investigation into modern slavery in Doncaster has resulted in four arrests as police carry out raids across the area.
The British Red Cross was drafted in, offering practical and emotional support to those in crisis as part of the week-long operation.
Five raids were carried out at a number of properties, police have said, with agencies visiting more than 100 addresses to talk to potential victims. Four men have been arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and moneylaundering offences.
Det Sgt Stafford Megson, of South Yorkshire Police, who led the operation, said: “We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable people in our society, and that includes, as was in this case, people travelling lawfully to the UK to seek employment.
“It’s an incredibly sad fact that some people deliberately look to exploit those people when they arrive into the country and even lure them to the UK under false pretences of a better life and employment. Through concerns raised regarding the possible exploitation of migrant workers within the Doncaster area, we have all acted quickly and positively to try and identify any offenders as well as protect and safeguard any potential victims.”
A number of agencies were involved in the operation, including officers from the Anti-Slavery Unit, the National Crime Agency, HMRC, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Department for Work and Pensions and Doncaster Council.
Det Sgt Megson said: “The first phase of the operation was launched on Monday, when we conducted a number of warrants in relation to possible modern slavery offences and the exploitation of migrant workers.
“After carrying out five warrants at a number of addresses, four men were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and money laundering offences.”
We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable in society. Det Sgt Stafford Megson of South Yorkshire Police.
Police and agency workers have visited more than 100 addresses in recent days to talk to people who could be victims of exploitation.
Lizzi Trueblood, British Red Cross operations manager for emergency response in the North of England, said: “The Red Cross was asked by South Yorkshire Police to provide practical and emotional support to anyone who needed it as a result of this operation, at a place of safety.
“Our trained staff have been on hand to provide emotional support, as well as practical necessities throughout the operation. The Red Cross works alongside emergency services across the UK to help those in crisis.”
The four men arrested have since been bailed pending further enquiries as the investigation continues. The news comes after The Yorkshire Post revealed traffickers are targeting vulnerable Eastern Europeans with online adverts or approaching them at homeless shelters and soup kitchens before tricking them into forced labour.
A West Yorkshire Police dossier revealed there were 14 live human trafficking operations and 81 live crimes being investigated within the area in May, and senior officers said the number of recorded modern slavery offences nearly doubled last year.
Nationally, there were nearly 4,000 victims of modern slavery reported by the authorities last year. Analysis showed the suspects are likely to from either the Czech Republic, UK, Poland, Slovakia or Hungary.
And according to West Yorkshire Police, the way victims are recruited and brought over to the UK reflects the national picture, where vulnerable people are “promised a better life in the UK”.