Detectives have arrested three men on suspicion of modern slavery offences in Enfield.
The large scale operation carried out on Wednesday, July 8 targeted those believed to be involved in modern slavery offences.
The incident happened at a farm in Crews Hill.
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The operation was carried out by more than 150 individuals, including around 100 officers from North Area Basic Command Unit, in collaboration with HM Revenue and Customs, London Fire Brigade, Immigration, Enfield Council, Environment Agency and the National Food Crime Unit.
The operation is part of Project Aidant – an initiative being coordinated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).
The mission is to spot and respond to the changing modern slavery and human trafficking threat.
The arrested men were taken to a North London Police station where they have remained in custody.
The police said it deployed sophisticated tactics including the use of an armoured truck to gain entry to the venue which is located on a semi-industrial site with numerous security measures installed.
“Eleven adults were rescued inside the premises and are being supported by trained officers to receive medical treatment and further care”, the police disclosed in a statement.
The investigators also said they found £75,000 in cash during a comprehensive search of the premises.
Speaking on the issue from a Central Specialist Crime, Detective Chief Inspector Richard McDonagh said “This activity forms part of an investigation into the unregulated distribution of food from this site. It is suspected that numerous victims have been exploited for the sake of forced labour. It was crucial police intervention took place in order to protect those we believe are being exploited and arrest those suspected of forcing them into labour.
“This operation took place at a semi-industrial site, which brings its own hazards. The planning has been meticulous and it was only possible with the support of an extensive partnership network and I am grateful to all our partners for their support.
“Victims of modern slavery rarely see themselves as such, so it’s important that where offences are suspected every effort is made to prevent further exploitation. We have specialist officers and support networks who will provide the necessary care to the victims we have identified today.
“Modern slavery and human trafficking are often hidden in plain sight. We need the public to recognise the signs and report their suspicions to Modern Slavery Helpline or the police.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said “Through the hard work and co-operation of law enforcement and immigration agencies, we have helped to disrupt a gang suspected of the most heinous exploitation and trafficking of vulnerable people.
“We will not stop in our commitment to tackling these abhorrent crimes by bringing perpetrators to justice using the full weight of the law and ensuring that victims get the help they need.”
The Head of the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit at the National Crime Agency, Rob Richardson said “Tackling modern slavery is one of our highest priorities, and we are determined to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue offenders and protect victims. The National Crime Agency, alongside the Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority, is leading a law enforcement intensification period across the UK, including London, to identify and respond to the changing modern slavery and human trafficking threat picture as a result of COVID-19.
“It is likely that restrictions on movement and activities are having a notable impact on the MSHT threat in the UK. There have been anecdotal reports of displacement from public-facing sectors that have been closed as a result of government measures, such as car washes and nail bars, to high-risk sectors of agriculture and the wider food supply chain such as this factory.
“Since 2017, the NCA has led a series of multi-agency operational intensifications on different aspects of the MSHT threat, which has resulted in over 770 arrests and the safeguarding of over 1,200 potential victims.”
A spokesman for Government Agency Intelligence Network (GAIN) London chapter said “By working in partnership, sharing intelligence lawfully and efficiently, the GAIN aims to ensure that government agencies along with police will help reduce the risk, threat and harm from serious and organised crime, in the most cost-effective way. Today’s action follows months of collaborative hard work by GAIN who are dedicated to dismantling crime networks which benefit from inflicting misery on communities.”
Similarly, GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Jennifer Baines said in her reaction that “Today’s successful operation demonstrates the need for targeted partnership working to identify, disrupt and dismantle the organised criminal networks exploiting vulnerable workers.
“Modern slavery and labour abuse sadly exist in industries across the UK, so it is really important for the public to be aware of the most common signs of exploitation and report their concerns to us or our colleagues in law enforcement.”
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