POLICE have arrested five people in the North-East on suspicion of human trafficking offences.
A Northumbria Police spokesman a man and woman of Slovakian nationality attended a police station in Newcastle early yesterday (Sunday March 29) and informed officers they had been subject to human trafficking and were being exploited for work.
Inquiries were carried out and later that day officers arrested two men, aged 22 and 38, and and three women, aged 24, 18 and 37, on suspicion of trafficking people into the UK for exploitation.
They have been bailed pending further inquiries.
The spokesman said: “Measures have been put in place to safeguard the victims and ensure their safety.
“Inquiries are ongoing into the incident and anyone with any information can contact police on 101.”
People can pass information on anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.
The Salvation Army human trafficking helpline can also be contacted to report instances of human trafficking on 0300-303-8151.
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