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| 'Slave' women rescued: Suspects were arrested in 1970s | 'Slave' women rescued: Suspects were arrested in 1970s |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Two people arrested in south London on suspicion of keeping three women as slaves for 30 years were detained in the 1970s, police have revealed. | Two people arrested in south London on suspicion of keeping three women as slaves for 30 years were detained in the 1970s, police have revealed. |
| The couple, both 67 and understood to be married, were arrested and bailed on Thursday. Police would not reveal why they were arrested in the 1970s. | The couple, both 67 and understood to be married, were arrested and bailed on Thursday. Police would not reveal why they were arrested in the 1970s. |
| Commander Steve Rodhouse told a press briefing that the three women told police they had been beaten. | Commander Steve Rodhouse told a press briefing that the three women told police they had been beaten. |
| The women, aged 69, 57 and 30, were rescued in Lambeth last month. | The women, aged 69, 57 and 30, were rescued in Lambeth last month. |
| 'Invisible handcuffs' | 'Invisible handcuffs' |
| News of their plight did not emerge until Thursday, when police revealed the women, a 69-year-old Malaysian, a 57-year-old Irish national and a 30-year-old Briton, had managed to leave a house in Lambeth on 25 October. | News of their plight did not emerge until Thursday, when police revealed the women, a 69-year-old Malaysian, a 57-year-old Irish national and a 30-year-old Briton, had managed to leave a house in Lambeth on 25 October. |
| They are not believed to be victims of trafficking. | |
| Mr Rodhouse described the three women as having been restrained by "invisible handcuffs" and confirmed they have made a clear allegation of slavery against the two suspects, who are also currently under investigation for suspected immigration offences. | Mr Rodhouse described the three women as having been restrained by "invisible handcuffs" and confirmed they have made a clear allegation of slavery against the two suspects, who are also currently under investigation for suspected immigration offences. |
| He said the women had given a "disturbing picture" of their experience, although Mr Rodhouse said the household could have appeared as a "normal family" to others. | He said the women had given a "disturbing picture" of their experience, although Mr Rodhouse said the household could have appeared as a "normal family" to others. |
| House search | |
| The case has been described as "unique" by the force and its entire 37-person specialist team is working on it. | The case has been described as "unique" by the force and its entire 37-person specialist team is working on it. |
| Mr Rodhouse said the two suspects had been bailed as the investigation would be a long one, but said they had not returned to the Lambeth property. | Mr Rodhouse said the two suspects had been bailed as the investigation would be a long one, but said they had not returned to the Lambeth property. |
| The house has been subjected to a 12-hour search, with 55 bags of about 2,500 exhibits seized. | The house has been subjected to a 12-hour search, with 55 bags of about 2,500 exhibits seized. |
| The rescue was staged after the 57-year-old woman secretly gained access to a phone and contacted Freedom Charity. | |
| She first called on 18 October and there followed a number of conversations over a week, before the women left the property when the occupants of the house were not around. | |
| They were met by police and representatives of the charity and moved to a safe location. | |
| It is not yet known if the women are related but police believe the 30-year-old has spent her whole life in captivity. Officers are trying to establish whether she was born in the property. |