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.