A TOTAL of 14 people have now been arrested as part of an investigation into modern slavery in the region.

Operation Kestrel was launched on Monday as a joint operation by the North-East’s three police forces working alongside Immigration Enforcement to target foreign criminals and immigration offenders.

Since Monday, 14 people have been arrested for slavery offences and have been released under investigation.

Northumbria Police’s Detective Inspector Sally MacDonald said: “Our absolute priority is making sure those who are at risk of being targeted by modern day slavery and human trafficking are safeguarded and not at risk of any further exploitation”.

Immigration Enforcement director Eddy Montgomery added: “My officers have worked alongside the police during the first week of Operation Kestrel, supporting visits to car washes and nail bars to check that staff have the right to work in the UK.

“Where illegal working is uncovered, businesses are liable for fines of up to £20,000 per illegal worker”.