Five 'slaves' rescued in Walsall house raid

A man has been arrested on suspicion of human trafficking after another man, a woman and three children were taken from a West Midlands house in a raid.

The five people, who police said were being held "effectively as slaves", are now being cared for by the Red Cross after the raid at 06:30 BST in Walsall.

West Midlands Police and officials from the UK Human Trafficking Centre carried out the operation in Wednesbury Road.

A 37-year-old Romanian man was arrested at the scene.

Police said the raid was prompted by a tip-off from the public and that the people being held at the address had been forced into begging and criminal activity.

Tony Styles, from the Red Cross, said they were working with the Salvation Army and police to ensure those people had clothing and bedding, along with emotional support.