Police Swoop On Slaves
Twenty-four arrests have been made and seven vulnerable people rescued this week as part of a multi-agency operation in Greater Manchester against modern slavery and human trafficking. Officers visited 54 houses, 29 car washes, 15 brothels, three nail bars and two restaurants across Greater Manchester. Arrests were made for offences including trafficking, sexual exploitation and immigration, and six victims located and safeguarded by multi-agency staff at a reception centre in the region. GMP Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson said: So far, the week of action has been a great success in locating vulnerable people and taking them away from the horror they have suffered at the hands of their exploiters and abusers. It is also a stark and tragic reminder that slavery is very much a 21st century crime, happening now here in our towns and cities.
Victims are often promised a good job, financial security or a better life. In reality, they are forced to work in cramped, dangerous conditions for hours on end, with limited contact with their family and under complete control of their abusers. Would you know the signs of slavery and trafficking? Would you use the services of a business that exploited its workers? Would you report it? These are the questions"