Five arrested in police raids tackling modern slavery

Vulnerable people are being exploited for financial gain

Police carried out raids across Bournemouth and Poole to tackle modern slavery
Author: Jason BeckPublished 1st Jul 2022

Five men have been arrested during raids to tackle modern slavery across Bournemouth and Poole.

More than 100 police officers and staff were involved in the operation which provided safety to nine vulnerable people and resulted in large amounts of cash being seized.

The men have been questioned on suspicion of modern slavery, rape, sexual assault and money laundering.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya, of Dorset Police, said: "Unfortunately, slavery is not a crime of the past.

"It also happens in our modern-day society.

"While industries may have changed, exploiting people for financial gain hasn’t.

"Unauthorised car washes, nail bars, takeaways, restaurants and brothels are just some of places we’re finding victims, and that's just the tip of the iceberg."

Police carried out raids across Bournemouth and Poole to tackle modern slavery

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick, said: "Many people still have an ‘it doesn’t happen in Dorset’ attitude to modern slavery.

"But ten warrants being executed in one day shows that it’s very real and very much happening in our county."

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