Police shut down factory after discovering 15 suspected ‘modern slavery’ victims
Child found to be working at site after public tip-off prompts investigation
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Police have shut down a factory in the West Midlands after identifying 15 suspected victims of labour exploitation and human trafficking.
West Midlands Police officers and Sandwell Council officials used a modern slavery warrant to swoop on the warehouse in Smethwick following tip-offs about illegal practices.
Around 60 workers were interviewed at the site and had their identities checked to help establish if they were being exploited.
One child was found to be working at the premises and has since been safeguarded by children’s services until their age and parent or guardian can be identified.
The factory’s owners face a fine of up to £20,000 for each worker found to be a victim of employment violations.
Police said 10 people had been arrested over “immigration matters” following the 10 April raid, but a spokesperson said the force could not comment further as the investigation had been handed over to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
The premises on Anne Road, four miles west of Birmingham, was also found to be using electricity diverted from the grid.
Inspector Colin Gallier, from West Midland Police’s Sandwell neighbourhood team, said: “As a result of the hard work and ultimately the important information that has come from members of the public, we have successfully shut the business down indefinitely.”
A spokesperson for Sandwell Council said: “Working together with partner organisations on operations like this is essential for tackling modern slavery and human trafficking.”
Additional reporting by SWNS