Teens rescued from human trafficking gangs by Calderdale police

Detectives led by Detective Sergeant Michael Richmond from Calderdale CID joined the Halifax and Calder Valley Neighbourhood Policing Teams and representatives from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the charity, Hope for Justice to visit a number of commercial premises across the District in a four day long operation.

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The two children, both aged 17 were located in two stores where they were present with staff who were working.

Neither child has any parents or relatives in the UK and it is thought they were the victims of Human Trafficking Gangs.

READ: Delays expected as M62 improvement plan revealedDetective Chief Inspector Dave Shaw of Calderdale District Police, said: “Human trafficking is an evil crime which trades in human misery.“We have been speaking to the staff at the various premises who have shared some horrific stories of being moved across continents, staying in migrant camps and travelling to the UK in the backs of trucks.

“Many have said that they felt they were under the control of organised crime groups.

“The two children we have rescued appear to be happy to have been taken out of such an environment – some indicated they were being paid less than the minimum wage and that their earnings were topped up with food and accommodation

“To show the lengths the criminals will go to we found one victim who had been branded to indicate she would forever be the ‘property’ of a particular gang.”

“Throughout the operation we spoke to 36 members of staff at the eight premises about their immigration statuses.

“Once it was confirmed that there was no suspicion that they had been trafficked, five males were arrested for being in the UK illegally. They were subsequently passed on to Immigration Enforcement for further action.”