Three Trafficking Arrests in Suffolk

Three men have been arrested this morning, Wednesday 20 November, in relation to trafficking labour exploitation following warrants at addresses in Thetford, Norfolk.

Officers from Norfolk and Suffolk Police carried out the warrants at four addresses in Thetford, two in Maine Street, one in Mallow Road and one in Sorrel Drive at around 7am this morning.

A 27-year-old man, and two 32-year-old men, all from the Thetford area have been arrested on suspicion of trafficking, labour exploitation and money laundering and are currently being held in custody at the Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

The arrests have been carried out as part of a multi-agency operation supported by partner agencies including the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, the UK Border Agency and the Department for Work and Pensions and relate to offences committed in Brandon, Suffolk.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The GLA operates throughout the UK and is a Non Departmental Public Body.

2. The authority was formed in 2005 in the wake of the Morecambe Bay cockle picking disaster when 23 Chinese workers drowned on the sands.

3. The GLA licences companies that supply labour (gangmasters) to agriculture, horticulture, food processing and packaging, forestry and shellfish gathering.

4. Its main strategic priorities are to prevent worker exploitation, protect vulnerable people and tackle unlicensed and criminal activity.

5. Under the Gangmasters Licensing Act (2004) it is illegal both to operate as, or employ the services of, an unlicensed gangmaster.

www.gla.defra.gov.uk