Man arrested on suspicion of slavery offences following GLAA raids
A man is being held in custody on suspicion of modern slavery offences and more than 50 people are being treated as ‘vulnerable’ following a series of early morning raids by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) in east London yesterday.
The GLAA revealed in a statement that its investigators carried out simultaneous swoops on five residential addresses in Barking, Walthamstow, Forest Gate, Ilford and Newham as part of an investigation into the exploitation of eastern European workers.
The statement adds that the operation, supported by the Metropolitan Police, follows intelligence relating to allegations of labour abuse on construction sites across London, threats of violence and false identities being used.
Several of people, all believed to be Romanian or Moldovan nationals, were found to be living at the five addresses raided today. In one terraced house, 23 people were found to be living in cramped conditions, including six women and two young children.
Ten of these people, including two 15-year-old boys, have been taken to a reception centre, , where they are being given the opportunity to speak to specially trained officers about their circumstances.
The arrested man, a Romanian national in his 20s, is being held at Forest Gate police station for questioning.
