GLA investigation sees Kent arrest over people trafficking
8 November 2013
Kent Police have arrested an individual following an investigation into alleged labour exploitation of Slovakian nationals as part of a joint operation with the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA).
Fri, 8 Nov 2013Kent Police have arrested an individual on suspicion of people-trafficking and money-laundering, following an investigation into alleged labour exploitation of Slovakian nationals as part of a joint operation with the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA).
The individual was arrested yesterday, charged with people-trafficking and money-laundering, and released on bail until 25 February, Kent Police confirmed to recruiter.co.uk.
The joint investigation looks into allegations that the Medway Towns-based workers, supplied to various sectors including the food industry, were forced to live in squalid conditions and threatened with violence.
Detective Sergeant Susan Marsden of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate says victims are typically “being asked to work two jobs, often up to 60 hours a week, and receiving a nominal wage of £10-£15 [per week], with the supervisors pocketing the rest of the money”.
The move follows four arrests in August in the same Kent investigation, with the men concerned in those arrests all bailed until 4 March next year.
And it continues a stream of arrests made by the police in investigations with the GLA, including operations in Cambridgeshire most recently and in Derby, Norwich and Scunthorpe earlier this year.
The GLA has also backed two separate anti-slavery initiatives in recent weeks.
The individual was arrested yesterday, charged with people-trafficking and money-laundering, and released on bail until 25 February, Kent Police confirmed to recruiter.co.uk.
The joint investigation looks into allegations that the Medway Towns-based workers, supplied to various sectors including the food industry, were forced to live in squalid conditions and threatened with violence.
Detective Sergeant Susan Marsden of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate says victims are typically “being asked to work two jobs, often up to 60 hours a week, and receiving a nominal wage of £10-£15 [per week], with the supervisors pocketing the rest of the money”.
The move follows four arrests in August in the same Kent investigation, with the men concerned in those arrests all bailed until 4 March next year.
And it continues a stream of arrests made by the police in investigations with the GLA, including operations in Cambridgeshire most recently and in Derby, Norwich and Scunthorpe earlier this year.
The GLA has also backed two separate anti-slavery initiatives in recent weeks.
