Arrests in West Midlands

On Tuesday 6 December the GLA conducted an operation in conjunction with West Midlands Police.

Warrants were executed at four properties in the Wolverhampton area and a male aged 36 and female aged 41 were arrested in relation to suspected offences contrary to section 12 of the Gangmasters Licensing (Act) 2004. They have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Notes to editors

1. The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up to curb the exploitation of workers in the agricultural, horticultural, shellfish gathering and associated processing and packing industries.

2. Protecting workers is the key aim alongside protecting legitimate labour providers and protecting the tax payer by uncovering unpaid taxes.

3. The GLA regulate the supply of workers and labour services to any of the regulated sectors in the UK.

4. It is a criminal offence to provide labour in the industries regulated by the GLA without a licence. It is also an offence to use labour provided by unlicensed labour providers.

5. The GLA assess compliance against its Licensing Standards which reflects UK legislation, including Forced Labour Offence.

6. In December 2009 a new offence of forced labour was introduced in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. It became an offence in Scotland in August 2010

7. The GLA issues additional guidance in its GLA Brief series, where it identifies new concerns over non-compliance.

8. Margaret McKinlay, Chairman of the GLA is available for interview.

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