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Trafficking police seize children Trafficking police seize children
(20 minutes later)
Six young children have been taken into care following police raids in Berkshire targeting suspected Eastern European gangs and child trafficking. Ten young children have been taken into care following police raids in Berkshire targeting suspected Eastern European gangs and child trafficking.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police, the British Transport Police and Thames Valley Police swooped on 17 addresses across Slough in dawn raids.Officers from the Metropolitan Police, the British Transport Police and Thames Valley Police swooped on 17 addresses across Slough in dawn raids.
Nineteen people were held on suspicion of immigration breaches, deception, fraud and theft in London's West End.Nineteen people were held on suspicion of immigration breaches, deception, fraud and theft in London's West End.
They were also arrested over cash machine and pick-pocketing offences.They were also arrested over cash machine and pick-pocketing offences.
Our main focus in this operation is on the welfare of the children who are potentially being exploited Ruth BagleySlough Borough CouncilOur main focus in this operation is on the welfare of the children who are potentially being exploited Ruth BagleySlough Borough Council
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said police were investigating the welfare of the children, who were all under 10 years of age and being cared for by Slough Borough Council.A Metropolitan Police spokesman said police were investigating the welfare of the children, who were all under 10 years of age and being cared for by Slough Borough Council.
Detectives will investigate whether any of them were involved in suspected offences, or if they were taken from their families and illegally trafficked into the UK.Detectives will investigate whether any of them were involved in suspected offences, or if they were taken from their families and illegally trafficked into the UK.
He said many of the raided properties, in the Chalvey area of the town, were "high occupancy" with large numbers of people inside.He said many of the raided properties, in the Chalvey area of the town, were "high occupancy" with large numbers of people inside.
Commander Steve Allen, of the Met Police, said the operation was about "targeting those behind organised crime networks on the streets of London and the criminal exploitation of children".Commander Steve Allen, of the Met Police, said the operation was about "targeting those behind organised crime networks on the streets of London and the criminal exploitation of children".
'Reunite families''Reunite families'
He added: "With promises of a financial return, some poor families surrender their children who are subsequently forced to commit crime.He added: "With promises of a financial return, some poor families surrender their children who are subsequently forced to commit crime.
"We continue to work closely with, and share intelligence with, the Romanian authorities.""We continue to work closely with, and share intelligence with, the Romanian authorities."
Supt Pete Davies, of Thames Valley Police, said: "I appreciate many residents would have woken up to a rather large police presence in Chalvey this morning, however it is our intention to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.Supt Pete Davies, of Thames Valley Police, said: "I appreciate many residents would have woken up to a rather large police presence in Chalvey this morning, however it is our intention to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.
"Members of the neighbourhood policing team are on duty and will be able to address local concerns.""Members of the neighbourhood policing team are on duty and will be able to address local concerns."
Officials from Slough Borough Council accompanied police on the planned intelligence-led raids.Officials from Slough Borough Council accompanied police on the planned intelligence-led raids.
Ruth Bagley, chief executive of the council, said: "Our main focus in this operation is on the welfare of the children who are potentially being exploited.Ruth Bagley, chief executive of the council, said: "Our main focus in this operation is on the welfare of the children who are potentially being exploited.
"We will ensure that any children who are presented to the council, receive the appropriate level of care, and efforts will be made to reunite them with their families.""We will ensure that any children who are presented to the council, receive the appropriate level of care, and efforts will be made to reunite them with their families."