Police rescue 17 in human trafficking investigation
Seventeen men, women and children have been rescued by police in Yorkshire as a part of an investigation into alleged human trafficking.
Eight people have also been arrested as a part of a three-day operation in Leeds.
West Yorkshire police said the rescue happened as a part of an investigation into an organised criminal gang, which is thought to be behind human trafficking, large-scale benefit fraud and labour exploitation in Leeds and elsewhere.
Many were living in very poor housing conditions with no access to local support services and little if any income to exist on. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Williams
The operation saw 60 police officers visit 25 addresses in Leeds, leading to three men, four women and 19 children being taken to a reception centre. 17 of these people have been placed into a “National Referral Mechanism” which identifies victims of human trafficking and ensures they receive protection and support.
The 17 rescued people are mainly from Slovakia, police said.
‘Exploited’
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Williams said: “A multi-agency operation on this scale involving such a large number of potential human trafficking victims is unprecedented in West Yorkshire.
“We are therefore very pleased that it has been successful in rescuing a significant number of people from the exploitative situations they had been trafficked into from their home country.
“Many were living in very poor housing conditions with no access to local support services and little if any income to exist on. Others were having their benefits taken from them and being exploited by being forced to work long hours for little or no pay.
“Those that we and our partner agencies have rescued from these situations will now have access to a comprehensive package of support from a range of agencies that will help them to rebuild their lives free from exploitation.
“Our criminal investigation into these matters is ongoing and we expect to make further arrests as part of our efforts to bring those responsible to justice. We hope this will send a message to those who are involved in this type of activity and give other victims confidence that the authorities can provide the help and support they need to escape from their situations.”
The eight arrested people have been bailed, pending further enquiries and efforts to trace others thought to have been involved.
West Yorkshire Police was supported in the operation by Leeds City Council staff, health agencies, Hope for Justice and the Salvation Army.