Skip to main content

200 people in safeguading after three men arrested on suspicion of slavery

TWO HUNDRED people at a flower-picking farm in Cornwall were in safeguarding yesterday after three men were arrested on suspicion of slavery offences.

Police launched a raid on the farm in Manaccan, near Helston, over suspicions that migrant workers — mostly from eastern Europe — were victims of modern slavery.

Three local men were arrested and were in police custody yesterday awaiting questioning.

Two were arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences and one was taken into custody on suspicion of gangmaster offences.

Police were assisted by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: “Those affected by this alleged crime are mostly male migrants thought to be from Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria.”

It was an ”exceptional and unusual” case because of the volume of people involved, the police also said.

The safeguarding of the welfare of approximately 200 workers at the farm is now being managed by Cornwall Council with support from the Salvation Army at a specially created reception centre.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today