Seven bailed in people trafficking probe

Seven people arrested in connection with an operation targeting people trafficking and prostitution have been bailed.

Raids were carried out at properties in Ipswich, Norwich, Swindon, Harwich in Essex and Tedburn St Mary in Devon.

Five women and two men were held on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic people for sexual exploitation.

All seven have been bailed pending further inquiries and will return to Ipswich police station.

They were also held on suspicion of conspiracy to manage, keep, act or assist in the management of a brothel for prostitution.

Police said five suspected victims were found following the searches, three of them in Ipswich, and are now being helped by specially-trained staff.

Suffolk Police led the operation which also involved officers from Norfolk, Essex, Wiltshire and Devon and Cornwall police forces.

The Serious and Organised Crime Agency Vulnerable Persons Team, the UK Border Agency, the Crown Prosecution Service Complex Case Unit and the UK Human Trafficking Centre were also involved in the operation.