BY JAMES SIMONS AND LUCY CAULKETT
Greater Manchester police have rescued suspected victims of ‘modern day slavery’ following raids on brothels, car washes, nail bars and restaurants.
Police have also made 24 arrests for alleged offences of trafficking, sexual exploitation and immigration as part of a dramatic crackdown in an action packed week across Manchester- a city with plenty of drama enough to make a best selling movie.
Police have been decoy about the precise nationalities and ages of the victims for reasons best known to them. The victims are currently being supported by the British Red Cross.
Police told eye of media that the work to rehabilitate and care for them is underway but in many cases, they are ‘’suffering from the effects of intensive physical and psychological abuse’’, according to police. Extensive interviews in relation to their harrowing ordeal is yet to take place. The crackdown is believed to have been the result of a tip off from a concerned member of the public, whose relative also informed eye of media of the planned operation. 54 houses, 29 car washes, 15 brothels, two restaurants, three nail bars, all in the Manchester area were raided by police, but police have been tight lipped about the precise location.
Detective Chief Superintendent, Russ Jackson said ” so far. the week of action has been a great success in locating vulnerable people and taking them away from the horror they have suffered at the hands of their exploiters and abusers. It is also a stark and tragic reminder that slavery is very much a 21st century crime, happening here, in our towns and cities. Victims are often promised a job, financial security or a better life. In reality, they are forced to work in cramped, dangerous conditions for hours on end, with limited contact with their family and under complete control of their abusers”.
IMMIGRATION
Immigration and environmental health service have been involved in the operation, as well as the fire service, customs, and the Department for Work and Pensions. Last week, the first ever modern day slavery summit was held in Manchester
Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report concerns, adding: “Slavery is just as real and just as brutal in the 21st century in the UK as it has ever been.” Manchester police have recently launched a new ‘modern slavery unit’ to tackle the problem.
Slavery and exploitation is an evil executed by selfish and heartless people who often take advantage of vulnerable people who would do anything to be in Britain. Many victims are often powerless to report their plight because of fear of reprisals and also the fear of being deported back to their countries since many may consider their situation better than the countries from which they took flight.
A source who wanted to remain anonymous, told eye of media ” Many of such victims can barely speak English and have no one to turn to. They are paid very little money but may consider what they are paid better than what they may get paid in their country’. Many are most likely living under horrid conditions in their country, and will consider the condition of slavery they are subjected to here to be relatively better, and will be too ashamed to let their families back home know the situation, that’s if they can even access them”
The unfortunate thing about this sad state of affairs is that the fact they have been victims does not automatically mean they will be allowed indefinite stay here in England. They may will be eventually deported. Eye of Media will keep tabs on developments with the respective agencies and police dealing with this situation to see how it develops. Once charges are made on the perpetrators of this horrible crime, the identities of the evil individuals will surely come to light.