A large-scale operation took place in Greater Manchester as police, immigration enforcement officers, and gang master and labour abuse authorities raided a premises suspected of harbouring victims of modern slavery.
The operation, which occurred at nearly 10 o’clock on a recent evening, targeted an abattoir where it was believed individuals were being exploited for labour under horrific conditions.
The police action followed intelligence provided by an alleged victim of modern slavery. The victim claimed that he had been brought into the UK on a legitimate skilled worker visa, only to be forced to live and work at the abattoir, receiving little or no pay for his labour.
The premises, located just five minutes from the operation base, has reportedly faced a number of issues over the years, including environmental health concerns and licensing infringements.
Authorities are particularly concerned about the worsening situation on-site, which has been known to police for some time.
Officers believe that this could be one of the gravest cases of human trafficking and labour exploitation they have encountered.
Upon arriving at the location, which operates at night, police were prepared for a challenging raid. Officers surrounded the building, only to have one worker jump off the roof in an attempt to escape. He was found and arrested.
The owner of the abattoir was also arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and labour exploitation. The arrest was made after officers gathered significant intelligence about the exploitation of workers at the site.
Inside, police discovered where the first alleged victim was living—a space right next to the noisy and pungent slaughter hall. The conditions were deemed entirely unsuitable for human habitation, highlighting the severe exploitation at play.
Officers screened around 25 workers during the operation. While no other potential victims of modern slavery were identified during this raid, authorities emphasised that these types of workplaces—abattoirs, farms, and takeaways—are often environments where individuals are vulnerable to labour exploitation.
These sectors are known to be high-risk for modern slavery, as they often involve low-wage, manual labour in environments that are difficult to monitor.
Police highlighted the rise in referrals related to modern slavery across the UK, but warned that prosecutions can be challenging and take years to materialise due to the complexity of these cases.
Although the raid revealed no additional victims at the time, the police investigation is far from over. Officers are committed to continuing their efforts to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking, particularly in sectors where exploitation is rife.
The authorities’ ongoing investigation will focus on identifying more victims and prosecuting those responsible for these horrendous crimes.
The UK has seen an increase in referrals related to modern slavery, but challenges remain in addressing the root causes of exploitation.
As these cases often involve vulnerable individuals who are afraid to speak out, law enforcement must work closely with support agencies to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice. The Greater Manchester operation serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of modern slavery and the need for continued vigilance and action.
