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| Human trafficking gang targeted | Human trafficking gang targeted |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Six women, believed to be the victims of human trafficking, have been rescued in Belfast and Londonderry as part of a UK-wide police operation. | Six women, believed to be the victims of human trafficking, have been rescued in Belfast and Londonderry as part of a UK-wide police operation. |
| Five were rescued in Belfast, and one in Derry during the investigation. | |
| Police said Operation Sleek was aimed at dismantling a Chinese organised crime gang and rescuing their victims. | Police said Operation Sleek was aimed at dismantling a Chinese organised crime gang and rescuing their victims. |
| Three people have been arrested, one in Belfast and two in Worcestershire, on suspicion of human trafficking and controlling prostitution. | |
| A 39-year-old man was arrested in east Belfast and has been taken to Antrim police station. | A 39-year-old man was arrested in east Belfast and has been taken to Antrim police station. |
| The two other arrests were made in England by officers from West Mercia Police accompanied by PSNI detectives at properties in Kidderminster. | The two other arrests were made in England by officers from West Mercia Police accompanied by PSNI detectives at properties in Kidderminster. |
| West Midlands Police and PSNI officers also searched a property in Birmingham. | West Midlands Police and PSNI officers also searched a property in Birmingham. |
| The two suspects, a 40-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man, are being brought to Antrim police station for questioning. | The two suspects, a 40-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man, are being brought to Antrim police station for questioning. |
| Property in Newry, County Down was also searched. | Property in Newry, County Down was also searched. |
| 'Vulnerable' | 'Vulnerable' |
| The officer in charge of the operation, Detective Chief Superintendent Essie Adair, said the arrests were part of a co-ordinated operation against human trafficking in the United Kingdom. | The officer in charge of the operation, Detective Chief Superintendent Essie Adair, said the arrests were part of a co-ordinated operation against human trafficking in the United Kingdom. |
| "This is nothing more than a modern form of slavery in which vulnerable women are used and abused to make substantial profits for organised crime gangs," he said. | "This is nothing more than a modern form of slavery in which vulnerable women are used and abused to make substantial profits for organised crime gangs," he said. |
| "This particular operation has been a long time in the planning, involving a number of partner agencies and with co-operation from two Chinese victims. | "This particular operation has been a long time in the planning, involving a number of partner agencies and with co-operation from two Chinese victims. |
| "Police will continue to work with partner agencies to disrupt and dismantle these gangs, wherever and whenever they come to our attention." | "Police will continue to work with partner agencies to disrupt and dismantle these gangs, wherever and whenever they come to our attention." |
| The suspected victims are being cared for under arrangements funded by the government with support from the Police Service and delivered by Women's Aid Federation (NI) and the Migrant Helpline. | The suspected victims are being cared for under arrangements funded by the government with support from the Police Service and delivered by Women's Aid Federation (NI) and the Migrant Helpline. |
| The UK Human Trafficking Centre, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the UK Borders Agency, Women's Aid, the Migrant Helpline and the Poppy Project were also involved in the multi-agency operation. | The UK Human Trafficking Centre, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the UK Borders Agency, Women's Aid, the Migrant Helpline and the Poppy Project were also involved in the multi-agency operation. |