Five human trafficking arrests after police raid Washington home

Police have arrested four people on suspicion of human trafficking after raids across the North East.
Police have raided addresses in Washington and MiddlesbroughPolice have raided addresses in Washington and Middlesbrough
Police have raided addresses in Washington and Middlesbrough

Warrants were executed on Monday, December 9, at a residential address in Washington and two residential and two business addresses in Middlesbrough.

A 36-year-old man and three women aged 23, 32, and 36, were arrested on suspicion of trafficking offences. All have been released under investigation.

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Detective Inspector Steve Bell, from the Vulnerable Exploited Missing Trafficked Team, said: “Investigations are ongoing but police believe that these business premises have been a front for criminal activity and exploitation.

“Trafficking and exploitation of any kind will not be tolerated in Cleveland and information will be acted upon.

“This action is just one example of us acting on such information.

“Anyone who has information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The Modern Slavery Helpline can be contacted 24/7 on 08000 121 700.”