Three ‘Safeguarded’ & One Arrest In Deeside Slavery Raids

North Wales Police say they have executed three warrants this morning in relation to modern slavery offences, the raids are believed to have taken place in the Deeside area.

Extensive operation this morning by police and other agencies. Thank you to all for the very very early start. #opzeren https://t.co/EPFtMZJWZp

— Sacha Hatchett (@NWPChiefSupt) April 27, 2017

Scores of police vehicles were pictured parked at the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency testing station in Ewloe early this morning prior to the raids part of a force crackdown on modern slavery names Operation Zeren.

Police have since said this morning that one person has been arrested and three people ‘safeguarded’.

The Manchester-based police helicopter crew of NPAS Barton said they had assisted North Wales Police at 6am this morning with ‘operational support’ the aircraft was spotted over the Shotton and Queensferry area’s.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Harrison saud one person had been taken into custody and enquiries are ongoing.

Modern Day Slavery

Modern Day Slavery (or formerly Human Trafficking) is also a growing crime in the UK with victims exploited in four main ways – forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and benefit fraud.

Those who traffic people may do so by force, through coercion or by using fraudulent payment and promises of non-existent legitimate employment.

Modern Day Slavery (MDS) is often referred to as a ‘hidden crime’ because victims either do not perceive themselves as such or because they are unwilling to talk to police due to:

• A fear of retribution/reprisals from their traffickers.
• Fear and suspicion of the authorities, and a lack of awareness that these people are in a position to help.
• Fear resulting from Juju or witchcraft rituals.
• Fear that their traffickers will accuse them of being complicit in their trafficked situation.
• Toleration of their situation as it is more favourable than their home circumstances.
• Being in a relationship with their traffickers.
• Stockholm syndrome, where due to unequal power victims create a false emotional or psychological attachment to their controller.
• Fear of discrimination from their community and families.

It is not uncommon for traffickers to provide stories for victims to tell if they are approached by the authorities – errors or lack of reality in these stories may be because they have been composed by others and learnt