Eight people arrested in Luton over human trafficking offences

Police said they arrested eight people from four addresses on Wednesday morning

Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of human trafficking offences after what police said was a major investigation into the sexual exploitation of women.

The five men and three women, whose ages ranged between 20s and 40s, were arrested at four addresses in Luton.

A ninth man was arrested at one of the addresses on Wednesday on suspicion of failing to appear at court.

Det Insp Louise Gent described trafficking as a "heinous" crime.

"Unlike drugs or firearms, which are only bought or sold once, a victim being exploited in this way represents a continuous source of income for criminals," said Det Insp Gent, from Bedfordshire Police.

The force said it arrested four men in a similar operation last year who were among 18 people now facing trial in Romania for human trafficking offences.