Former nail bar owners given court order to prevent modern slavery
TWO former Derbyshire nail bar owners have been given a court order to prevent modern slavery.
Thy An Tran and Manh Van Le, who ran the business in Firs Parade, Matlock, will be bound by strict conditions after being given a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO).
The order was granted after an investigation by Derbyshire police into their running of the nail bar, which is now under new ownership.
The couple, who are originally from Vietnam, have had the order placed on them for five years, and breaching this could result in a criminal conviction. As a result, they are not allowed to arrange accommodation or work for anyone other than immediate family or employ anyone who does not have a National Insurance number.
They are also prohibited from possessing or controlling the passports, banking documents, bank cards or bank books of other people.
They must also notify the police where they are living within seven days of moving address, and ensure all employees are provided with a wage slip each month showing their hourly rate, the number of hours they have worked and deductions for National Insurance and tax.
The order was granted on June 15 at North East Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court and applies to them even though they have now moved to a new premises in Northern Ireland, where they will be monitored by the Human Trafficking Department of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Det Sgt Andy Wright, who leads Derbyshire police’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking team, said: “The granting of a STRO is a key weapon to combat modern slavery offences and allows police to act swiftly where breaches of the order are discovered and bring those responsible before the courts.
“Modern slavery is a key priority for Derbyshire Constabulary, and we are determined to do all we can to disrupt the individuals and criminal networks involved in modern slavery and human trafficking. The force also works closely with partners to safeguard and offer support to victims and I hope news of this order reaches those who are being exploited and come forward.”