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| Men freed after 'slavery' raids in Bristol area | Men freed after 'slavery' raids in Bristol area |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Three men, all believed to be victims of slavery, have been rescued following a series of raids in the Bristol area. | Three men, all believed to be victims of slavery, have been rescued following a series of raids in the Bristol area. |
| Eight properties were raided following an investigation into forced labour and human trafficking by Avon and Somerset Police and partner agencies. | Eight properties were raided following an investigation into forced labour and human trafficking by Avon and Somerset Police and partner agencies. |
| Two people have been arrested on suspicion of slavery offences. | Two people have been arrested on suspicion of slavery offences. |
| A spokesman said a significant quantity of money was also seized in the raids, which were codenamed Operation Wanderer. | |
| 'Statement of intent' | 'Statement of intent' |
| The raids were carried out at three travellers' sites near Bristol - Northwood Park in Winterbourne, Tall Trees in Almondsbury and Green Orchard in Easter Compton. | The raids were carried out at three travellers' sites near Bristol - Northwood Park in Winterbourne, Tall Trees in Almondsbury and Green Orchard in Easter Compton. |
| A farm in Yeovil, a house in Kingswood and a residential property in Redland were also raided in the operation. | A farm in Yeovil, a house in Kingswood and a residential property in Redland were also raided in the operation. |
| Police said five other people were also arrested on suspicion of offences including cannabis production, money laundering and handling stolen goods. | Police said five other people were also arrested on suspicion of offences including cannabis production, money laundering and handling stolen goods. |
| The investigation was launched at the start of November after an intelligence operation by CID officers. | The investigation was launched at the start of November after an intelligence operation by CID officers. |
| Ch Supt Julian Moss, head of CID, said: "This is an ongoing and dynamic inquiry - our primary aim is to safeguard and protect vulnerable victims. | Ch Supt Julian Moss, head of CID, said: "This is an ongoing and dynamic inquiry - our primary aim is to safeguard and protect vulnerable victims. |
| "Some of those affected will not view themselves as victims and, even if they do, may have been unable to speak to the police or any other authorities for a variety of reasons. | "Some of those affected will not view themselves as victims and, even if they do, may have been unable to speak to the police or any other authorities for a variety of reasons. |
| "Today's operation is a very visible statement of our intent to protect people from this type of exploitation." | "Today's operation is a very visible statement of our intent to protect people from this type of exploitation." |
| South Gloucestershire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, the National Crime Agency and specialist charities, such as anti-trafficking organisation Unseen and the Red Cross have all been involved in the operation. | South Gloucestershire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, the National Crime Agency and specialist charities, such as anti-trafficking organisation Unseen and the Red Cross have all been involved in the operation. |
| Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said the operation "clearly highlights the unacceptable and illegal crime of human trafficking". | Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said the operation "clearly highlights the unacceptable and illegal crime of human trafficking". |
| "It shows that modern slavery is happening around us and I am pleased that the police, local authorities, and Unseen UK have worked together to tackle and disrupt this abhorrent network of criminality," she said. | "It shows that modern slavery is happening around us and I am pleased that the police, local authorities, and Unseen UK have worked together to tackle and disrupt this abhorrent network of criminality," she said. |