Four Arrested as Part of Joint Enquiry in Humberside

Humberside Police, in conjunction with the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA), made four arrests yesterday across the Humberside Police force area in connection with money laundering and gangmaster offences.

The arrests of two men, aged 28 and 29, and two women, aged 23 and 30, were made in the Humberside Police area.

The suspects were taken into custody for questioning in connection with an investigation into the exploitation of workers in the food processing industry in East Yorkshire.

All four involved have been released on bail to report back to police in August whilst enquiries continue.

ENDS

No further information is available at this time.

Notes to editors

1. The GLA operates throughout the UK and is a Non Departmental Public Body.

2. The authority was formed in 2005 in the wake of the Morecambe Bay cockle picking disaster when 23 Chinese workers drowned on the sands.

3. The GLA licences companies that supply labour (gangmasters) to agriculture, horticulture, food processing and packaging and shellfish gathering.

4. Its main strategic priorities are to prevent worker exploitation, protect vulnerable people and tackle unlicensed and criminal activity.

5. Under the Gangmasters Licensing Act (2004) it is illegal both to operate as, or employ the services of, an unlicensed gangmaster.

www.gla.gov.uk