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Earlier this month a multi-agency operation was carried out to crackdown on modern slavery and human trafficking.
On 2 July Suffolk police were joined by government agencies including Immigration Enforcement and Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), to visit a food manufacturing business in the county.
Twelve people were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences. Two were later de-arrested, and further intelligence is being developed and investigated.
Speaking about the operation, Suffolk Constabulary’s Modern Slavery Vulnerability Advisor John French said: “Often victims are recruited under false pretences by external agencies, which means companies are unaware that workers may have been targeted and exploited. Typically, victims are foreign nationals but not always.
“This pre-planned joint agency operation is part of the work we do to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery, to ensure staff are working in safe environments and are not victims of exploitation.
“The aim is to disrupt this criminality and protect the vulnerable.
“These arrests have come about as a result of information received from a number of sources and we continue to urge members of the public to report suspected incidents of exploitation so we can help safeguard victims and pursue offenders.
“Signs of look out for are people being withdrawn, unable to make eye contact, or being reluctant to talk to strangers. Their appearance may be unkempt, they may appear malnourished, or show signs of physical or psychological injury.
“They may also have inappropriate clothing or equipment for their job and be working long hours for little or no pay.
"Their accommodation may be overcrowded and poorly maintained. They may lack some basic freedoms, such as not having access to their identity or travel documents and have their movements restricted.”
Of those arrested, six were men and four were women. They will be dealt with by Immigration Enforcement.
If you suspect someone is employing illegal workers at their business, report this to the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation helpline on 08000 121 700. It is free, confidential, open 24 hours and available in 200 languages. Alternatively report online via https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/report.
If someone is in immediate danger please call police on 999. Visit www.unseenuk.org for more information about the common signs of exploitation and how to report it.
For more information about the different forms of Modern Slavery and how to report it visit https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/ms/modern-slavery/
Further advice and support can be found via The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) which works to protect vulnerable and exploited workers
0800 432 0804
[email protected] or www.gla.gov.uk/report-issues