Suspects held in UK slavery raid
- 13 years ago
Police in England are questioning five people - held after a raid on a traveller camp revealed 24 men detained against their will under shocking conditions.
Police raided the caravan site in Bedfordshire, north of London, on Sunday.
A law enforcement official says at least 28 other people had already escaped.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DETECTIVE, CHIEF INSPECTOR SEAN O'NEILL, SAYING:
"Today we found 24 people being held against their will on the site, being kept in appalling conditions, covered in excrement, poor clothing, poor general condition. We are having to investigate that. Prior to that we were aware of up to 28 people that have escaped the site, but we really don't know how many people have been here in the past year or so."
The official goes on to describe the filthy conditions in which the people were forced to live.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DETECTIVE, CHIEF INSPECTOR SEAN O'NEILL, SAYING:
"In the past, people have been held in horse boxes. In dog kennels. There's examples here today of out buildings and caravans. They tend to be old caravans, falling apart - there's no electricity, there's no running water. People have their hair cut, put in dirty clothing. They are made to work doing any form of labouring, rather than being given proper food or money for their labour."
Some of the men found are English, while others are from Eastern Europe.
Police also found weapons, drugs and money at the site.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
Police raided the caravan site in Bedfordshire, north of London, on Sunday.
A law enforcement official says at least 28 other people had already escaped.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DETECTIVE, CHIEF INSPECTOR SEAN O'NEILL, SAYING:
"Today we found 24 people being held against their will on the site, being kept in appalling conditions, covered in excrement, poor clothing, poor general condition. We are having to investigate that. Prior to that we were aware of up to 28 people that have escaped the site, but we really don't know how many people have been here in the past year or so."
The official goes on to describe the filthy conditions in which the people were forced to live.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DETECTIVE, CHIEF INSPECTOR SEAN O'NEILL, SAYING:
"In the past, people have been held in horse boxes. In dog kennels. There's examples here today of out buildings and caravans. They tend to be old caravans, falling apart - there's no electricity, there's no running water. People have their hair cut, put in dirty clothing. They are made to work doing any form of labouring, rather than being given proper food or money for their labour."
Some of the men found are English, while others are from Eastern Europe.
Police also found weapons, drugs and money at the site.
Travis Brecher, Reuters