Modern slavery and gangmaster arrest in Ipswich

A man has been arrested by anti-slavery investigators in Ipswich on suspicion of modern slavery and unlicensed gangmaster offences.

Officers from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) were joined by Suffolk Police at an address close to the town centre on the morning of Wednesday 23 January.

The suspect, a 20-year-old Romanian man, is currently in custody being questioned.

GLAA investigators acted after receiving reports that a young Romanian man had been exploited by the suspect through threats of physical violence, debt bondage, and other controlling behaviour.

The potential victim had been working in the food processing sector and other industries at the time of the alleged exploitation.

He is now receiving specialist support after being accepted into the government’s National Referral Mechanism, a framework for ensuring modern slavery victims are given the help that they need.

GLAA officers also seized evidence after making searches of the property.

Anyone who suspects someone is the victim of modern slavery, human trafficking, and other forms of labour abuse should contact the GLAA’s intelligence team on 0800 432 0804 or by emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk