Five arrested and seven women safeguarded as part of modern slavery investigation
Police carried out warrants at ‘massage parlours’ in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Reading
An investigation into suspected modern slavery and human trafficking has seen five people arrested and seven women safeguarded.
Wiltshire Police said it follows a series of warrants carried out at ‘massage parlours’ in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Reading.
Officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) arrested a man in his 30s from Leicester and a man and woman in their 50s at the same address in Bristol last night (15 October) on suspicion of human trafficking, conspiracy to control prostitution for gain, and money laundering.
This morning a further two people were arrested by police: a woman in her 60s from Walton-on-Thames in Kent for the same three offences, and a man in his 60s from Bury St Edmunds on suspicion of human trafficking.
They are all currently in police custody.
Seven women are currently with specially trained officers to establish their safeguarding needs.
DCI Adam Smith from SWROCU said: “This investigation started due to public concerns raised to Wiltshire Police about two premises in Chippenham.
“It’s grown from there, resulting in five arrests for serious offences, and most importantly, the safeguarding of seven women.
“Community intelligence is so important – officers searching the premises today have had so much positive feedback that action’s been taken – so our plea is to keep such information coming.”
Sgt Jamie Ball, who conducted the local activity in Chippenham, said: “This initially began as a small investigation by our local neighbourhood officers and intelligence unit, looking into two premises which have been operating under the guise of health & wellbeing and massage parlours, but intelligence suggested they were being used to offer sexual services.
"I’d like to thank the local community for the information they have provided us up until now. Although the investigation is still in the early stages, I know that a number of vulnerable women will now be safeguarded as a direct result of the information they provided and the investigative work we carried out. I am sure the local community will welcome news of these warrants and arrests.”
Anyone with information or concerns about potential modern slavery happening in their communities can report to their local police force.