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Trafficking police seize children | Trafficking police seize children |
(30 minutes later) | |
A baby less than a year old is among 10 children in care after 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. |
At least 25 people were held accused of immigration breaches, deception, fraud, theft and pick-pocketing in London. | |
The inquiry surrounds whether children were used by gangs to commit crimes. | |
Our main focus in this operation is on the welfare of the children who are potentially being exploited Ruth BagleySlough Borough Council | Our 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 they were investigating the welfare of the children, who are aged between less than a year old and 17-years-old. | A Metropolitan Police spokesman said they were investigating the welfare of the children, who are aged between less than a year old and 17-years-old. |
They are being cared for by Slough Borough Council. | They are 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." |