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Four men questioned over slavery and kidnap charges | Four men questioned over slavery and kidnap charges |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Four people remain in custody after being arrested on slavery and kidnap charges spanning a period of 26 years. | |
Homes in the Rumney area of Cardiff and Bristol were raided by police on Monday morning. | |
Four men from Rumney, aged 57, 37, 34 and 33, are being held at Ystrad Mynach police station. | Four men from Rumney, aged 57, 37, 34 and 33, are being held at Ystrad Mynach police station. |
The alleged slavery offences relate to two men, who police said were safe and being supported by officers. | The alleged slavery offences relate to two men, who police said were safe and being supported by officers. |
Three men - aged 57, 37 and 33 - were held on suspicion of knowingly or conspiring to hold a person in slavery, servitude or requiring another person to perform forced or compulsory labour, kidnap, false imprisonment and assault. | Three men - aged 57, 37 and 33 - were held on suspicion of knowingly or conspiring to hold a person in slavery, servitude or requiring another person to perform forced or compulsory labour, kidnap, false imprisonment and assault. |
A fourth man, 34, was arrested on suspicion of knowingly or conspiring to hold a person in slavery, servitude or requiring another person to perform forced or compulsory labour and assault. | A fourth man, 34, was arrested on suspicion of knowingly or conspiring to hold a person in slavery, servitude or requiring another person to perform forced or compulsory labour and assault. |
A Gwent Police spokeswoman said the four arrests related to two alleged victims, who were not recovered from the addresses raided. | A Gwent Police spokeswoman said the four arrests related to two alleged victims, who were not recovered from the addresses raided. |
'Extremely serious' | 'Extremely serious' |
The arrests were made by officers working on Gwent Police's anti-slavery Operation Imperial. | The arrests were made by officers working on Gwent Police's anti-slavery Operation Imperial. |
South Wales Police and Avon and Somerset Police were also involved in Monday's operation, as warrants were executed at five addresses in the Cardiff and Bristol area. | South Wales Police and Avon and Somerset Police were also involved in Monday's operation, as warrants were executed at five addresses in the Cardiff and Bristol area. |
Det Supt Paul Griffiths, who leads Operation Imperial, said: "All four arrests relate to two victims, both men, who are being supported by specially trained officers. The alleged offences we are investigating are extremely serious. | Det Supt Paul Griffiths, who leads Operation Imperial, said: "All four arrests relate to two victims, both men, who are being supported by specially trained officers. The alleged offences we are investigating are extremely serious. |
"Allegations from one of the victims cover slavery, servitude and forced labour and span a period of 26 years. Allegations from the other victim cover kidnap, false imprisonment and assault and span a lesser timeframe. | "Allegations from one of the victims cover slavery, servitude and forced labour and span a period of 26 years. Allegations from the other victim cover kidnap, false imprisonment and assault and span a lesser timeframe. |
"Anyone with any information that could help is asked to call the Imperial team directly by dialling 01633 647174. | "Anyone with any information that could help is asked to call the Imperial team directly by dialling 01633 647174. |
"Alternatively, if someone has information and would rather not pass this directly to the police then I would urge them to contact Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police and guarantees complete anonymity on 0800 555111." | "Alternatively, if someone has information and would rather not pass this directly to the police then I would urge them to contact Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police and guarantees complete anonymity on 0800 555111." |
Jacqueline Parry, a local councillor from Rumney said: "There will be absolute shock (over the arrests). | Jacqueline Parry, a local councillor from Rumney said: "There will be absolute shock (over the arrests). |
"You do not expect it in a suburban area, an area where people know each other, where there are communities." | "You do not expect it in a suburban area, an area where people know each other, where there are communities." |