Human trafficking arrest in north London

A 41-year-old man has been arrested by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) on suspicion of human trafficking offences.

The Romanian national was arrested by GLAA officers at an address in Barnet, north London, on the morning of Wednesday July 1.

He remains in custody being questioned by the GLAA.

As part of the same investigation, officers spoke to three workers at a hand car wash in Keynsham, near Bristol.

Two potential victims were safeguarded by the GLAA prior to the operation.

GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Andy Davies said: “This was a successful co-ordinated operation executed by our officers at two separate locations over 100 miles apart.

“Tackling labour abuse is what we do on a daily basis, but it’s equally as important to address the methods in which exploitation can take place.

“There has to be a zero tolerance approach to human trafficking, whether it is for the purposes of sexual exploitation, organised drug dealing, or for the forced labour offences we investigate.”

The operation was supported by officers from the Metropolitan Police and Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

If you have concerns someone has been trafficked into the UK for the purposes of labour exploitation, please call the GLAA’s intelligence team on 0800 4320804 or email intelligence@gla.gov.uk.

Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.

This work forms part of Operation Aidant, a three-week exercise involving the GLAA, National Crime Agency and police to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the UK labour market.