Ten people thought to be the victim of a modern slavery have been found by police at a farm in Bedfordshire.
They were discovered on Friday, June 26, after police officers had been flagged down by two men on a country road on the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire border.
Police visited the address the men had come from and established that 13 men and a pregnant woman were staying in a farm building.
All those at the property had travelled to the UK from Romania.
Bedfordshire Police say ten of the people were subsequently safeguarded and taken to a reception centre.
All have been offered support under the national referral mechanism for victims of modern slavery.
Six people have been arrested. On Monday, June 29, police reported that two men in their 40s and two men in their 20s were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and have been released on bail, pending further enquiries.
Subsequent enquiries were then made by police alongside the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) at an address in Lincolnshire, where a number of further potential victims were identified.
A woman in her 40s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and remain in police custody.
Bedfordshire Police Detective Chief Inspector Louisa Glynn said: “An excellent response and teamwork by our officers and partners has resulted in 10 suspected victims of modern slavery being safeguarded.
“Sadly, we know that modern slavery and exploitation is going on all around us.
“Bedfordshire’s transport links and demographics make us particularly susceptible to it – almost 400 potential victims were identified in the county last year, the fifth highest of all UK police force areas.
“We are doing all we can to protect victims and dismantle the organised crime groups behind this exploitation, whether they exploit people through the sex industry, county lines drug dealing or in sectors such as agriculture or construction.
“This is a stark reminder that the abhorrence of slavery still exists and I would urge people to get in touch with us if they have any suspicions.”
GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Jennifer Baines said: “Protecting vulnerable workers is our top priority and taking decisive action with partners is key in ensuring that potential victims of exploitation are safeguarded and given the support that they need.
“Modern slavery and labour abuse sadly exist in communities across the country. In the last year alone, we identified more than 15,000 potential victims of exploitation, which highlights the scale of the challenge we face in tackling the problem.
“Joint operations such as this are therefore crucial in not only rescuing some of the most hidden and at risk people in society, but also disrupting the often organised criminal behaviour behind the exploitation.
“We would strongly encourage the public to be aware of the signs of exploitation, especially in these unprecedented times, and more importantly report their concerns to us and our partners.”
More information about the modern slavery and exploitation picture in Bedfordshire, as well as the signs to spot, are outlined on the force’s website.
Anyone with information or concerns about modern slavery can contact Bedfordshire Police via bedfordshire.police.uk/report or call 101.
Call 999 if there are immediate concerns. You can contact the GLAA via gla.gov.uk or call 0800 432 0804. P
eople can also report their concerns and suspicions anonymously and in confidence to the Modern Slavery Helpline via 08000 121 700.
