MODERN SLAVERY & HUMAN TRAFFICKING May 2020 Update

Six Men found in ‘poor conditions’ after suspected modern slavery site uncovered in Kneesworth

Royston Crow 26 May 2020

Six men were believed to have been living in poor and cramped conditions after Cambs Police visited a suspected modern slavery nursery in Kneesworth. Picture: Cambs Police

A group of Vietnamese and Eastern European men are believed to have been living and working in “poor conditions” at suspected modern slavery sites in Kneesworth.

Six Vietnamese and Eastern European men were found at two premises in Old North Road, where they are believed to have worked for little or no money and been living on-site in cramped and poor conditions.

Working in partnership with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Rural Crime Action Team and Hertfordshire Police, officers from the South Cambs Neighbourhood Team carried out safeguarding visits at business premises in Old North Road, Kneesworth on Friday.

Alongside imitation firearms, Class A and B drugs were also recovered during the safeguarding visit.

A 57–year–old man from Nottingham was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs but has since been released under investigation.

Sergeant Rob Taylor from the neighbourhood team said: “We will continue to work with our partners to ensure these men receive the support they need and the standard of living conditions improve at the sites.

“It is often a misconception that slavery is a thing of the past however, sadly, it is a very true and real occurrence. It is a hidden crime that occurs across the county, even in some of our most affluent areas.

“Tackling modern slavery is a key priority for the force.

“Increasing intelligence in this area is key to protecting the vulnerable. It’s important that people are aware of the signs of modern slavery and report concerns to us to stop other human beings being exploited for financial gain.”

This is the second time that Cambs Police have responded to suspected cases of modern slavery at nurseries in Kneesworth, with officers discovering five Vietnamese men during a safeguarding visit to a property in Old North Road last year.

Child Slavery probe after police find drugs suspects in hotel room with girl

North Wales Live 28/05/2020 A slavery order has been issued after a probe linked a man with the supply of drugs to ‘young females’ in North Wales Police acted after finding a man in a hotel room with a youngster, and linked him to the supply of illegal drugs to girls. As a result, the Criminal Investigation Department covering Conwy and Denbighshire successfully applied for a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO) in relation to “an investigation involving the exploitation of children”. This order is the first of its kind to be granted in Wales for offences where children have been exploited, police said. A police spokesman said: “Police became aware of the respondent concerned when they were found in a hotel room with a young female.” “This resulted in an investigation that established that this individual was also believed to be involved in the supply of controlled drugs to young females in the area. “We suspected these children were indeed victims of child sexual exploitation (CSE).” Detective Constable Stuart Goldsack said: “We welcome the granting of the order by the court. “This is the first of its type involving children in Wales and underlines our commitment to making North Wales the safest place to live in the United Kingdom.” He added: “Whilst our investigation into this individual continues, this order seeks to safeguard children against the activities of this individual and reassure the public that we will take robust action against those who engage in this type of activity. “This is a difficult and complex investigation that has necessitated alternative safeguarding measures to ensure we continue to protect the most vulnerable members of our community – our children’s.” Three arrested on suspicion of modern slavery after Hull factory raid

Police were at the premises throughout Wednesday

Hull Daily Mail 29/04/2020

Police have been at the premises in Stockholm Road throughout the day (Image: Hull Live)

One man and two women have been arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences after a major police operation in east Hull.

Police said they had attended a building in Stockholm Road at 5.20am this morning after hearing an "audible alarm" within the premises.

After entering the building they found seven men and a woman, who have now been safeguarded by officers.

A spokeswoman from Humberside Police said three people were then arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences in connection with the incident.

A number of people working nearby had reported seeing a number of police cars outside the premises with Sun Polymer Ltd signage outside.

One man said: "The main entrance was blocked with a black car and then police cars and vans along the footpath.

"In the yard I could see officers walking around and one stood in the reception doorway guarding it. "There was a large police van parked outside the reception and it looked like a prisoner van with black windows on either side."

And this afternoon he said police had been "all over the site" as crime scene investigation vehicles arrived.

Another man said there had been "loads of police" at the site since 5.30am this morning.

Man arrested after £250,000 cannabis haul claims he was a victim of human trafficking The 27-year-old man was arrested and charged with production of a Class B drug after 290 plants were discovered in a Stockton property

Teesside Live 02/05/2020

A man charged after the discovery of a £250,000 cannabis farm claims he was a victim of human trafficking. Cleveland Police recovered a cannabis farm of around 290 plants over several rooms from an address on Hartington Road, central Stockton. Officers estimated the plants to be worth a quarter of a million pounds following the find on March 31, just over a week into lockdown. A 27-year-old man was arrested and charged with production of a Class B drug. Now he says he has been trafficked - a potential defence to the drugs production charge. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Teesside Crown Court via video link to Durham Prison on Wednesday. Judge Paul Watson QC said: "I understand that the Crown propose to make investigation as to whether or not the defendant has been trafficked." Prosecutor Jenny Haigh said: "The defendant claims to be trafficked. The National Referral Mechanism will take place." Judge Watson adjourned the case until a further hearing on June 10. He said: "A decision can be taken as to whether or not this is somebody who has been the subject of human trafficking. "If not his plea can be taken on that date." The judge remanded the accused man in custody in the meantime. A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said after the drugs seizure: "Anyone with information regarding drugs activity in their local area is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101. "Independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org."

Woman found wandering the streets after escaping 'sex slave' house Greater Manchester News 05/05/2020

Police are appealing for witnesses

Police are appealing for witnesses as part of an investigation into modern slavery.

At around 7.30am on Saturday, May 2, officers responded to reports of concern for the welfare of a woman found at Dallas Court, off South Langworthy Road, Salford, by a member of the public.

Enquiries have established that the woman, in her 20s, had escaped from an unknown property where she was being forced to operate as a sex worker.

Is it thought that she travelled to the Salford area from outside Greater Manchester after asking for help from a passing lorry driver following her escape. Enquiries are ongoing to determine what area of the country the lorry driver travelled from. When found, the woman was wearing a blue denim jacket and a dark-coloured dress. Police say she has shoulder-length brown hair, which she was wearing in a ponytail. Detective sergeant Gareth Humphreys, of GMP’s Salford district said: “This woman has endured a terrifying experience and our specialist officers are supporting her through this distressing time. “We appreciate there is a limited amount of information available currently, but it is only right that we pursue every line of enquiry available to us. "We are appealing to anyone with information, or who recalls helping or seeing this woman in the early morning of Saturday 2 May, or the days preceding, to contact police. “We’d particularly like to appeal to the driver of the lorry who assisted the woman in travelling to Salford. “I’d like to stress that the lorry driver is not in any trouble and we only want to speak to them to help us piece together the woman’s movements following her escape.” Anyone with any information should contact police on 0161 856 7693 quoting incident number 580 of 02/05/2020. Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Parents at risk of being sucked into crime as they struggle to provide in lockdown

Metro 04/05/2020

Parents who have lost their jobs amid the UK’s lockdown and are struggling financially are at risk of being targeted by criminals, campaigners have warned.

Anti-violence community interest company, Operation Shutdown, said during the pandemic it has seen a sudden increase in disadvantaged people looking for help to avoid being exploited or sucked into criminal gangs in London. It comes after a report, published by children’s commissioner Anne Longfield, said there was a ‘real risk’ of gangs recruiting young people while school is out.

Ms. Longfield said hundreds of thousands of young people cannot be monitored by ‘early warning systems’ such as schools and community centres, in the same way during this period. But it is not just children who are at an increased risk, said Operation Shutdown’s director, Lucy Martindale, who is concerned for vulnerable parents that are struggling to provide for their families.

Ms Martindale said: ‘I’m working with parents who’ve lost their jobs and don’t have enough to even give their children a slice of bread let alone feed themselves.

‘Some are living in cramped and overcrowded conditions sharing rooms with other people, while others have already come to me with fears their children will be groomed online because they can’t monitor them 24/7.’

She added: ‘What worries me is I know there is the potential for these single parents to be exploited or drawn into gangs, fraud and selling drugs, just so they can make ends meet during this time – these are tough times for a lot of people.’ The campaigner said many parents are also worried about their children being recruited into criminality to try and help their families with rent or put food on the table.

Ms. Martindale, who was coerced into a gang in her early teens and beaten when she did not comply with their orders, said children as young as 14 have told her they were approached to take part in ‘deets and squares’.

‘Deets and squares’ is when a person hands over their bank details to fraudsters in exchange for money, making them accessories to the crime.

In a bid to better protect children during lockdown, the children’s commissioner’s report called for the Government to ensure councils and teachers stay in touch with those most vulnerable to exploitation and suffering the ‘toxic trio’ of domestic violence, substance misuse and mental illness at home.

Ms. Martindale insisted that exploitation won’t stop ‘just because there is a virus’ and believes that social media apps need to recognise the part they play in facilitating crime among young people. Coronavirus: Drug dealers 'dress as joggers and use fake NHS ID badges' in lockdown They change tactics to avoid infection by doing letterbox drops or "drive-by sales" and throwing drugs from cars, says an expert. Thursday 7 May 2020 12:09, UK

Drug dealers are dressing as joggers and using fake NHS ID badges to avoid police detection during the coronavirus lockdown, says an expert on gangs.

They are changing their tactics to avoid infection by doing letterbox drops or "drive- by sales" and throwing drugs from car windows after arranging deals by phone, Professor Simon Harding claimed.

Money is also being tossed on the back seat during the deals to keep items clean, said the director of the National Centre for Gang Research (NCGR) at the University of West London.

Prof Harding said: "On one hand they really are heeding government advice on social distancing.

"But at the same time, it is business as usual and as people were panic-buying food, dealers were running bulk deals and selling lockdown party packs."

He added: "Vehicles are being used more often to carry out deals arranged by phone, with products thrown from windows and money chucked on the back seat to keep items clean." Prof Harding said the COVID-19 lockdown is affecting the "county lines" gang model - which sees young and vulnerable people used as couriers to move drugs and cash between cities and smaller towns.

The new tactics have also led to a reduction in "cuckooing" - where gang members take over the home of a vulnerable person to cut, sort and deal drugs.

This is because it is seen as carrying health risks, he explained.

"Sending groups of young lads out to Southend-on-Sea by train to carry drugs is too risky now, so increasingly dealers are driving runners around, or hiring local people to do the job," said Prof Harding.

"Street gangs are being forced to find new tactics, such as shifting grooming and recruitment online to social media.

"This means young people can become ensnared in dangerous gang activity from their phones while their families have no idea and that is a worry."

National Crime Agency director general Lynn Owens said last month that prices are going up with fewer drugs entering into the UK.

She said some drug dealers are trying to disguise themselves as key workers by wearing high visibility clothing or operating from supermarket car parks during the lockdown.

West Yorkshire arrests in major European-wide Human Trafficking investigation. Telegraph & Argus 14/05/2020

Potential victims of modern slavery have been rescued from a house in Huddersfield after a series of international raids from across Europe yesterday. Simultaneous raids took place at 6am in Huddersfield led by the Force’s Programme Precision Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Team, Austria and Romania after an ongoing European wide investigation. The team has been supported by the National Crime Agency, the United Kingdom Central Authority (UKCA) and the charity, Hope for Justice. Kirklees District Police also provided help during the operation. Two women were rescued. They are being supported and safeguarded by Hope for Justice. A man aged 38 and a 42-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Modern Slavery Act. They have been bailed. Detective Superintendent Carl Galvin (Protective Services Crime), said “Modern Slavery (also known as Human Trafficking) is a horrible crime that trades in human misery. “There is no place for it in 21st century Britain or anywhere else. We are determined to bring those responsible for it to justice and to safeguard and support victims. “Programme Precision also seeks to work with the public to tackle serious and organised crime – and Modern Slavery is often a crime that ‘hides in plain sight’ - it could be happening in your street so if you suspect any suspicious behaviour or have information about potential slavery offences call the Police on 101 – your call could make all the difference.

County Lines boss used kids to sell crack and heroin before a killing changed everything Daily Star 24 May 2020

EXCLUSIVE: Matthew Norford was making up to £2,000 a day running a gang of County Lines drug dealers. He was sprayed by a machine gun and he himself shot "four of five" people. Then came a turning point

Matthew Norford turned his back on a life of crime and is now steering youngsters away from County Lines gangs (Image: Scott Hesketh)

A former gang boss who groomed children to be drug mules is now a powerful police weapon in the fight against County Lines crime. Matthew Norford, 37, rose through the ranks to become a chief drug dealer, raking in up to £2,000 a day. He recruited youngsters, showering them with clothes and cash before sending them away from Manchester to sell crack and heroin. It was only when his brother was stabbed to death in a botched armed robbery in 2011 that the dad of four turned his back on crime. He now helps steer vulnerable children away from the violent life he once led, and works with the officers who arrested him while patrolling the streets of the Moss Side district. But Matthew warned that bigger challenges lie ahead as the County Lines gangs become more ruthless. He said: “They’ve become more violent. Kids are getting raped, young boys having their manhoods taken away and they’re terrified of their attackers. “Girls being used and abused. There are disabled people being exploited by gangs who take over their homes to deal. The most vulnerable are being used in the most horrific ways.” He added: “At least when we did it there were lines we wouldn’t cross.” Matthew, nicknamed Skelly, quickly showed his worth to the Rusholme Mandem gang, dealing drugs and dishing out violence and intimidation. He had turned his back on a scholarship to sell drugs with older brother Gary Mullings. He said: “I was making about two grand a day profit; my brother was doing the same. We took over our part of Manchester and had everyone working for us at one point.” He recruited children not long out of primary school. “We’d ask them, ‘Do you want to make two, three ton a day?’ “These were 13-year-olds. We’d give them an eighth of weed to sell and let them keep the £20. I know he’s gonna tell friends at school and they’d want in. “Soon they’re getting picked up in nice motors after school and they’re feeling like celebrities.” At the time, brutal gang violence gave Matthew’s city its “gunchester” tag. He said: “I’ve been the target of attempted murders, been sprayed with a Mac-10 machine gun and somehow not been killed. “I’ve shot four or five people, I’ve been in shootouts. That’s the world we lived in.” But he said: “I regret what I did – the violence, getting kids involved. I take full responsibility for my actions. “But that was the game and they were the stakes. And now it’s over and I’m glad I’m on the other side.” The turning point came when Gary, a dad of two, was fatally stabbed aged 30. Matthew said: “It broke me. I was in prison. I had murder on my mind, I wanted to tear up the streets. “I had a choice to make. Do I do it? And go to hell and never see my brother again? Or do I accept this was the life we led and these are the consequences? “I went with the latter, dropped to my knees in my cell and gave my life to the Lord. That’s the moment I gave it all up.” Matthew set up a community interest company, 1 Message, which he uses to talk to young people about his past. He has even worked with the detective once tasked with bringing down his associates. “I never thought I’d be working with MPs and police,” said Matthew. “I’ve saved kids from jail or worse. I’ve helped turn lives around. That’s more satisfying than any money I made off selling drugs.”

Scots Anti-sex trafficking campaigners see red over social media ads. The Times 10/05/2020

Police Scotland urges sites to take tougher approach to protect trafficked women.

Social media sites are under pressure to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to prostitution after they were found to be promoting websites used by criminal gangs to advertise sex for sale with trafficked women.

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram launched investigations after The Sunday Times alerted them to use of their platforms by websites such as Escort England, Escort Scotland, Adultworks and Viva Street, which run explicit adverts for sexual services offered by hundreds of women.

The sites are used by gangmasters to advertise sex with women trafficked from a range of countries including China, Vietnam and Nigeria, and sold into prostitution as a form of modern slavery.

Police Scotland is concluding an investigation into a gang using sex-for-sale sites to run a prostitution ring said to be worth “a considerable amount of money”. The force says it is powerless to act against site operators, however, because the servers are located abroad and it is not illegal to sell sex in the UK. Facebook’s community guidelines ban publication of images of nudity and sexual activity, as well as content that “facilitates, encourages or co-ordinates sexual encounters between adults”. Twitter guidelines prohibit the promotion of adult sexual content in paid ads but allows “consensually produced adult content” in tweets. Anti-trafficking and human slavery campaigners say sex-for-sale website operators are aware of the restrictions and push their content to the limit, with sexually explicit links to graphic images. Lizzy Jewell, of campaign group Stop the Traffik, said: “Viva Street and Escort Scotland go to lengths to show that their behaviour is legal and above board in their own website small print and statements. “How the companies choose to police or moderate their own terms and conditions is a different matter. It is unlikely that all the adverts on these websites are legitimate, and that all the workers are there by choice. “What is becoming clear is the hidden nature of sexual exploitation and human trafficking: while the public face of the websites is above board, and the content that is posted on public social networks sticks to the rules, the reality may be that the services being sold are not legal or safe.” Bronagh Andrew, operations manager at Glasgow-based Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance, which provides support services for women trafficked into the sex industry in Scotland, said: “Women who are trafficked for prostitution don’t see themselves as being involved in the sex industry. They see themselves as being raped on a daily basis.” Adultwork’s social media feed for its Twitter and Instagram accounts includes photographs of sex workers with explicit taglines including Filthy_Gorgeous_Milf and Miss Pornstar with links to their accounts on Twitter and Instagram. Escort Scotland, which is owned by Spanish-registered Lazarus Trading, has a Twitter account with 7,000 followers and is updated daily with tips on how to spice up sex lives. Multiple links take followers to hundreds of ads for women across Scotland offering escort, massage and domination services. The website also includes customers reviews, with customers rating their experiences out of five and leaving online comments. Viva Street’s Facebook page includes advice for sex workers on how to continue their trade during the coronavirus lockdown, including live video- camming and phone sex, as well as items of paraphernalia they can claim government cash for. Detective Superintendent Fil Capaldi, head of Police Scotland’s human trafficking unit, said: “These websites, that we are acutely aware of, are not undertaking illegal activity. Adverts placed by women for the purposes of selling sex are not in themselves illegal. “We have identified trafficked women from some of these adverts that have appeared in these websites. We have an ongoing inquiry just now where that’s exactly where we identified them from, and it involves significant sums of money. “We look for their co-operation and generally we get their co-operation when we ask for it, but it comes back to the question of how you identify those who are trafficked and those who are not.” A spokesman for Facebook and Instagram told The Sunday Times that it had suspended Adultwork and Viva Street’s accounts. “Sexual exploitation has no place on our platforms,” said the spokesman. “Our safety and security team work hard to keep people safe, and we’ve developed technology to help find and remove suspected exploitative content before anyone sees it. This is a complex issue and we regularly review our policies with law enforcement and experts like Blue Blindfold to keep this content and behaviour off our platforms.” Twitter also suspended Escort Scotland’s account. A spokesman said: “Keeping people safe on Twitter is a top priority for us and it is against our rules to use our service for any illegal activities. This includes the selling, buying or facilitating transactions in illegal goods or services, as well as certain types of regulated goods or services. We remain vigilant and take robust enforcement action where we identify violations of our rules.” A spokesman for Viva Street said it works with police and anti-trafficking groups, adding: “We take the issue of exploitation extremely seriously, and we have a wide range of measures in place to enhance user safety and detect and remove inappropriate material.” A spokesman for Adultwork.com said: “Adultwork neither promotes nor permits any kind of exploitation, and whilst we acknowledge it exists, the problem is not as prevalent as it has been historically, specifically because of sites like adultwork.com; a viewpoint shared and confirmed by academic research and the UK Home Office.” In a statement, Lazarus Trading said that it has always fully co-operated with Police Scotland. It said: “As acknowledged by UK law enforcement, adult services websites like escort-scotland.com can be important partners in combatting trafficking. “ It said its advertising criteria was “the strictest in the industry with regards to identity and age verification”, and that the company works closely with non- governmental organisations “to help signpost our advertisers to seek assistance or exit the industry”.

If you think you have seen signs of, or suspect Modern Slavery, you can either:

Call the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or

Call the Modern Slavery Helpline or the Salvation Army 24 hour Referral Helpline

0300 303 8151

There are also now two apps available for your mobile phone

The Unseen App SafeCarWash App Part of Modern Slavery Helpline created by the Clewer Initative to report Suspected Modern Slavery at Car Washes