This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-14878624
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Bedfordshire 'slaves' case: Nine refuse to help police | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Fifteen men suspected of being kept as "slaves" at a travellers' site in Bedfordshire are still being treated for malnutrition and medical problems. | Fifteen men suspected of being kept as "slaves" at a travellers' site in Bedfordshire are still being treated for malnutrition and medical problems. |
| Nine British and eastern European men also found at Greenacre Caravan park near Leighton Buzzard on Sunday have refused to help the police inquiry. | |
| Four men were arrested when the victims, suspected of being kept against their will, were found. | Four men were arrested when the victims, suspected of being kept against their will, were found. |
| A pregnant woman, who was also arrested, has been released on bail. | A pregnant woman, who was also arrested, has been released on bail. |
| The woman will be questioned further following the birth of her child which is imminent. Inquiries to locate two further suspects are under way. | |
| Some victims co-operating | Some victims co-operating |
| "Nine of the men have left a medical reception centre and have chosen not to support the police investigation," the spokeswoman said. | "Nine of the men have left a medical reception centre and have chosen not to support the police investigation," the spokeswoman said. |
| "At the moment the remaining 15 continue to be assessed for medical and welfare needs and interviews with detectives will commence today. | "At the moment the remaining 15 continue to be assessed for medical and welfare needs and interviews with detectives will commence today. |
| "It will take a number of days to establish exactly what has happened to them while living on the site," the spokeswoman said. | "It will take a number of days to establish exactly what has happened to them while living on the site," the spokeswoman said. |
| The victims assisting the investigation include eight British men, three Poles, a Latvian and Lithuanian plus two further men whose nationalities are as yet unconfirmed. | |
| They are all aged between 30 and 57, with the youngest and oldest both British. | |
| Those who chose to leave were seven Britons and two Romanians. | |
| The youngest person found on site was a 17-year-old British man who has left the care of police and re-joined his family. | The youngest person found on site was a 17-year-old British man who has left the care of police and re-joined his family. |
| The men arrested have been detained on suspicion of slavery and servitude offences under section 71 of the Coroners and Injustice Act. | |
| Police have appealed for help and asked anyone with any information to contact them in confidence. | Police have appealed for help and asked anyone with any information to contact them in confidence. |
| More than 200 officers swooped on the travellers' site at great Billington at 05:30 BST on Sunday and found the large group of men living in squalid conditions. | More than 200 officers swooped on the travellers' site at great Billington at 05:30 BST on Sunday and found the large group of men living in squalid conditions. |
| 'Family business' | 'Family business' |
| The raid was launched as part of a long-running investigation by Bedfordshire Police which suggested the men were being held against their will in poor conditions at the site, and forced to work for no pay. | The raid was launched as part of a long-running investigation by Bedfordshire Police which suggested the men were being held against their will in poor conditions at the site, and forced to work for no pay. |
| Police believe some may have been held for as long as 15 years. | Police believe some may have been held for as long as 15 years. |
| Det Ch Insp Sean O'Neil said: "Those people who we continue to help are appreciative of the support that is on offer but it will take some time to work through with them what has happened. | |
| "The new legislation has allowed the investigation more scope and takes into account emotional rather than physical harm. | "The new legislation has allowed the investigation more scope and takes into account emotional rather than physical harm. |
| "I am confident that while the investigation is in its early stages this is a family run 'business' and is an organised crime group that has been broken up by the Netwing operation." | "I am confident that while the investigation is in its early stages this is a family run 'business' and is an organised crime group that has been broken up by the Netwing operation." |
| Operation Netwing is being led by Bedfordshire Police, supported by the local and health authorities and other agencies as well as the Human Trafficking Centre at the Serious Organised Crime Agency. | Operation Netwing is being led by Bedfordshire Police, supported by the local and health authorities and other agencies as well as the Human Trafficking Centre at the Serious Organised Crime Agency. |
| Are you in the area? Do you have any information you wish to share with the BBC? Please contact us using the form below: | Are you in the area? Do you have any information you wish to share with the BBC? Please contact us using the form below: |