Four Arrested In Human Trafficking Operation

Two people have been arrested in Hertfordshire this morning, along with two others in London, in relation to human trafficking.

In a joint operation between Hertfordshire Constabulary and the Metropolitan Police Service's Trafficking and Prostitution Unit, the arrests of a male and female from Hertfordshire took place at an address near Rickmansworth.

They were arrested on suspicion of forcing a 37-year old woman to work round the clock completing domestic chores and forcing her to live in inhumane conditions. They were also arrested on suspicion of assault and trafficking offences.

Detectives believe the woman was originally trafficked to the UK in 2005 where she was forced to work at two properties in London and was never paid for her work before being trafficked to the property at Moor Park.

Two further arrests were made in London. A woman was arrested at an address in St John's Wood and a man at an address in Harrow.

All four suspects are in custody at a north London police station.

The victim is currently being cared for by a charitable organisation.

Leading the investigation for Hertfordshire Constabulary, Detective Chief Inspector Shirley Sargent, said: "'This is part of a long painstaking enquiry and we have been working closely with our Metropolitan Police colleagues. They have also made a number of arrests and the close collaboration between the forces shows that criminals cannot escape justice.

"The victim has been forced to work in a "threatening and abusive environment", which is totally unacceptable in our society. The luring of persons into the country with the promise of legitimate work and a better life, only to be held in what is, essentially, modern-day slavery is, regrettably, taking place in our community. Human trafficking, particularly in the form of servitude, is a hidden crime and we will do everything we can to ensure this immoral trade is stopped, but in order to do this we also need help from the public."

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Hyland, from the MPS Trafficking and Prostitution Unit, said: "This operation illustrates how working in partnership with non-government organisations can result in the identification of trafficking and the arrest of those alleged to have committed offences."

(BMcN)