Suspected illegal gangmaster arrested in Black Country

A woman is being questioned by GLAA officers in Wolverhampton on suspicion of operating as an illegal gangmaster.

Officers from the GLAA visited two addresses in the Newbridge area of the town this morning.

They arrested a 25-year-old female who holds Romanian and German passports. The suspect has no GLAA Licence to operate as a gangmaster in the UK.

She is now being questioned in connection with allegations she attempted to supply seven migrant workers to a recruitment agency in Telford to work in a chicken processing factory.

Providing workers for roles in the fresh produce sector without a licence is a criminal offence under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.

Enquiries are continuing.