Two arrested in joint GLA-West Midlands police operation

On 28 February, 2012 a 34 year old man and 30 year old woman, both from Handsworth, were arrested in a joint operation conducted by officers of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and West Midlands Police.

The arrests were made in relation to alleged offences against s12 of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004. Both were released on bail pending further enquiries.

Notes to editors

1. The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up to curb the exploitation of workers in the agricultural, horticultural, shellfish gathering and associated processing and packing industries. The Act establishing it was passed in 2004.

2. Protecting workers is the key aim alongside protecting legitimate labour providers and protecting the tax payer by uncovering unpaid taxes.

3. The GLA regulate the supply of workers and labour services to any of the regulated sectors in the UK.

4. It is a criminal offence to provide labour in the industries regulated by the GLA without a licence. It is also an offence to use labour provided by unlicensed labour providers.

5. In December 2009 a new offence of forced labour was introduced in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland. It became an offence in Scotland in August 2010. GLA guidance on the offences can be found in GLA Brief 9.

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