Six arrests after 10 potential modern slavery victims found at Bedfordshire farm

Discovery made after police were flagged down on rural road
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Ten suspected victims of modern slavery have been safeguarded after they were discovered living in a farm building in Bedfordshire.

Police officers were flagged down by two men on a rural road on the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire border at around 9.30pm on Friday (June 26).

Police visited the address the men had come from and established that 13 men and a pregnant woman were staying at the property. All those at the property had travelled to the UK from Romania.

The discovery was made after police were flagged down on a rural roadThe discovery was made after police were flagged down on a rural road
The discovery was made after police were flagged down on a rural road

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.

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.

“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: “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.

“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.”

Anyone with information or concerns about modern slavery can contact Bedfordshire Police here or call 101. You can also contact the GLAA here or call 0800 432 0804.

Alternatively you can also report things anonymously to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.