Six arrested in joint GLA-Cheshire Police Operation

The following press statement has been released by Cheshire police:

“Crewe CID have been carrying out an investigation into human trafficking alongside the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

On 7th September officers and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority executed warrants at five addresses in Crewe. Four men and two women were arrested.

Two men aged 25 and 37 and a woman aged 23 were charged with trafficking offences and a 33-year-old woman was charged with money laundering.

A 40-year-old man and a 30-year-old man have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

The investigation is being carried out in conjunction with the UK Human Trafficking Centre.”

The investigation is continuing into suspected offences contrary to:

 Section 4 (Trafficking people for exploitation) of the Asylum and Immigration Act (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004;

 Section 71 (Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009; and

 Section 12 (Offences: acting as a Gangmaster, ...) of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004

Notes to editors

1. The press statement can be found at: http://www.cheshire.police.uk/news-- appeals/latest-news/2011/09/group-charged-with-trafficking.aspx

2. 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. The Act establishing it was passed in 2004.

3. Protecting workers is the key aim alongside protecting legitimate labour providers and protecting the tax payer by uncovering unpaid taxes.4. The GLA regulate the supply of workers and labour services to any of the regulated sectors in the UK.

5. 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.

6. The GLA assess compliance against its Licensing Standards which reflects UK legislation, including Forced Labour Offence. Licensing Standard 1.1 covers whether a person is “Fit & Proper” to hold a licence.

7. 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. GLA guidance on the offences can be found in GLA Brief 9.

8. The GLA is committed to the Governments regulatory principles, and does not conduct inspections without reason where potential risks may be identified.

End

Public enquiries: 0845 602 5020

Media enquiries: 0845 602 5020

www.gla.defra.gov.uk