Three arrested in Luton for modern slavery offences

Bedfordshire Police arrested three people in connection with modern slavery offences

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences in Bedfordshire.

Since the arrests in Luton on 20 December, Bedfordshire Police said they have identified dozens of potential victims.

The force is calling on communities to be aware of modern slavery and exploitation.

A man and woman in their 50s and man in his 30s have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Investigations centred on allegations of people being brought into the UK from Africa under false promises and then forced to work for less than the minimum wage.

On 21 December more than 20 people were discovered in the back of a lorry at the Toddington Services off the M1.

A full emergency services response saw the people found in the lorry passed to immigration services.

Bedfordshire is consistently among the highest areas in the country for potential victims of modern slavery being identified and referred into the national referral mechanism, the force said.

Det Insp Katy Watts said: "Modern slavery and human trafficking are among the most vile and abhorrent crimes imaginable.

"This is not some distant problem. It is a problem that is happening right here in our communities - and I would encourage people to be alert to these issues.

"Anyone can be vulnerable to exploitation in a multitude of ways.

"If you think something isn't right and someone could be at risk of exploitation, please tell us so we can do our best to protect them."