This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/25/forced-labour-victims-cardiff-police-wales

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Police free 13 suspected forced labour victims in Cardiff Police free 13 suspected forced labour victims in Cardiff
(about 1 hour later)
Thirteen people suspected to have been victims of forced labour have been freed as part of a multi-agency operation to tackle organised crime in Cardiff.Thirteen people suspected to have been victims of forced labour have been freed as part of a multi-agency operation to tackle organised crime in Cardiff.
Police arrested 20 people and seized hundreds of thousands of pounds of cash and assets, including a £160,000 Ferrari and a Bentley golf buggy.Police arrested 20 people and seized hundreds of thousands of pounds of cash and assets, including a £160,000 Ferrari and a Bentley golf buggy.
More than 250 police officers and staff from a wide range of agencies were involved in the operation, codenamed Purple Barracuda, which was focused on people in the Travellers’ community. More than 250 police officers and staff from a wide range of agencies were involved in the operation, codenamed Purple Barracuda, which was focused on people in the Traveller community.
The 13 suspected to have been victims of forced labour were rescued and are being cared for at a reception centre specifically set up for them.The 13 suspected to have been victims of forced labour were rescued and are being cared for at a reception centre specifically set up for them.
We're taking part in an operation in Cardiff with @NCA_UK to dismantle organised crime groups #keepingCardiffsafe pic.twitter.com/fKbOI27urXWe're taking part in an operation in Cardiff with @NCA_UK to dismantle organised crime groups #keepingCardiffsafe pic.twitter.com/fKbOI27urX
At a press conference in Cardiff on Thursday, Chief Superintendent Belinda Davies said the “complex and sensitive” operation involved South Wales police, British Transport police, revenue and customs officers and members of the National Crime Agency. At a press conference in Cardiff on Thursday, Ch Supt Belinda Davies said the “complex and sensitive” operation involved South Wales police, British Transport police, revenue and customs officers and members of the National Crime Agency.
She said warrants were executed across the Welsh capital but the “principal activity” was focused on two Travellers’ sites, at New House Farm and Shirehampton, and one residential address. She said warrants were executed across the Welsh capital but the “principal activity” was focused on two Traveller sites, at New House Farm and Shirehampton, and one residential address.
Davies, the divisional commander for Cardiff, said: “20 people were arrested for an array of offences including suspected forced labour, money-laundering, theft and the large-scale abstraction of electricity. Suspected proceeds of crime ranging from luxury cars were seized along with a very substantial quantity of cash.” Davies, the divisional commander for Cardiff, said: “Twenty people were arrested for an array of offences including suspected forced labour, money-laundering, theft and the large-scale abstraction of electricity. Suspected proceeds of crime ranging from luxury cars were seized along with a very substantial quantity of cash.”
Among the vehicles seized were a brand new Ferrari worth around £160,00, a Range Rover and a Bentley-branded golf buggy. Weapons were also found. Among the vehicles seized were a new Ferrari worth around £160,000, a Range Rover and a Bentley-branded golf buggy. Weapons were also found.
We've come across a golf cart with a difference in our searches #keepingcardiffsafe #opfulcrum pic.twitter.com/Bt0ix8631kWe've come across a golf cart with a difference in our searches #keepingcardiffsafe #opfulcrum pic.twitter.com/Bt0ix8631k
Davies said: “One of the most critical elements of [Wednesday’s] operation was our commitment to protecting British and foreign nationals from suspected forced labour and poor working conditions.” Davies said: “One of the most critical elements of yesterday’s operation was our commitment to protecting British and foreign nationals from suspected forced labour and poor working conditions.”
She said the police were working with partners including the City of Cardiff council and the Red Cross to look after the 13 people who were found.She said the police were working with partners including the City of Cardiff council and the Red Cross to look after the 13 people who were found.
A second officer, Chief Inspector James Dyson, said the operation was the culmination of several months of planning. He said the aim was to tackle “key individuals involved in organised criminality residing within the Traveller community of Cardiff”. A second officer, Ch Insp James Dyson, said the operation was the culmination of several months of planning. He said the aim was to tackle “key individuals involved in organised criminality residing within the Traveller community of Cardiff”.
He said that before the operation began, advice was sought from the UK National Crime Agency’s forced labour tactical adviser and conceded it was bound to have an “impact on the Traveller community within Cardiff and beyond”. He added: “With a view to this there is an ongoing local engagement plan in partnership with the city council and the Traveller community.” He said that before the operation began, advice was sought from the UK National Crime Agency’s forced labour tactical adviser.
Dyson added: “The policing response is designed to reassure the Cardiff community that South Wales police is there to represent and serve all and will address criminality and anti-social behaviour that exists within our communities.” He conceded that the operation was bound to have an “impact on the Traveller community within Cardiff and beyond”. He said: “With a view to this there is an ongoing local engagement plan in partnership with the city council and the Traveller community.”