Arrests made and potential victims safeguarded as police target those involved in sexual exploitation

Police made four arrests and safeguarded five suspected exploitation victims in a fortnight of action to tackle sexual exploitation and modern slavery.

Over a two-week period earlier this month, officers from Bedfordshire Police worked with partners to carry out a number of proactive operations to identify and safeguard victims of human trafficking, as well as targeting those involved in sexually exploiting vulnerable people.

This work was part of Operation Aidant, a national initiative led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) to tackle these types of crime, as well as raising awareness on what to look out for and identifying potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.

Officers carried out three separate warrants at properties across Bedford based on information that the locations were being used as brothels.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of modern slavery and brothel related offences and five women believed to be potential victims were safeguarded and supported.

A fourth person was arrested on suspicion of facilitating exploitation during another planned operation.

Earlier this year, officers from the Luton community team ran a separate operation targeting perpetrators involved in sexually exploiting vulnerable people as well as deterring those looking to buy sex.

Operation Octans ran for three months from May to August and in this time, eight sex workers were identified and signposted to support, whilst nine men were arrested for various offences, including soliciting.

A further 17 were issued with community resolutions, where they will take up a programme focused on diverting them away from buying sex.

Detective Superintendent Nick Skipworth said: “Sadly, we know some people are coerced and exploited into sex work. We want to tackle the organised crime networks driving this exploitation.

“Violence, exploitation and organised crime are inextricably linked. We are relentless in our efforts to stop all of these crimes here in Bedfordshire.

“Modern slavery and human trafficking are the most vile criminal offences and I know how passionately our communities feel about tackling this.

“Unfortunately, more than 400 potential victims of modern slavery were identified in Bedfordshire last year, with 109 of those identified as children.

“This makes us even more determined to continue to work with partners to do whatever it takes to crack down on modern slavery, human trafficking and organised immigration crime.

“If you have concerns about someone potentially being vulnerable or at risk, please get in touch with us so we can help.”

There are some key signs to spot that sexual exploitation could be taking place somewhere:

• Adverts offering sexual services from a particular nationality
• Sleeping at work premises
• Sex work by the same person at different locations
• Victims may own very few items of clothing
• Only knows ‘sexual language’ in English
• Tattoos or other marking indicating ‘ownership’ by their exploiters
• Victim of crimes such as abduction, assault or sexual offences
• Money from clients goes to someone else
• Many men coming and going from the same address
• Curtains always being closed and a door entry security camera

Anyone with any information or concerns can contact police via our online reporting tool or by calling 101.

For more information about the response to violence, exploitation and organised crime here in Bedfordshire, visit our Bedforshire Against Violence and Exploitation (BAVEX) page.