A MAN and woman from Redditch have been given a full slavery and trafficking risk order after officers found two women they suspected to be victims of modern slavery.
On November 15 2023, officers attended a property after a dropped 999 call where a woman sounded like she was in distress. Officers attended and a woman told them they were not required.
Officers left the address, however, due to their concerns carried out further enquiries and identified the number that had contacted police did not belong to the occupant.
After returning to the property to carry out a search, they found two women locked in rooms and large amounts of cash at the address. It’s believed the women were victims of modern slavery.
A man, 39, and woman, 37, were arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment.
Officers applied to the court for the orders to be put in place at the property on Evesham Road in Redditch and interim orders were put in place.
On Tuesday, May 13 the man and woman were issued with full Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders that will be in place for four years.
Police Sergeant David Roberts, of the Redditch Town Centre team, said: “Modern day slavery is often hidden in plain sight, and we are committed to identifying and disrupting it within our communities.
“I welcome these full orders which help us protect vulnerable people who may be coerced or exploited whilst sending out a clear message that such activity will not be tolerated.
The orders restrict the recipients in many areas particularly surrounding possession of cash or other people’s travel documents, owning or renting property without notifying police, associating with illegal immigrants in the UK, and employing or facilitating work for anyone other than immediate relatives.
There are various other restrictions imposed under the orders.
Anyone with concerns about exploitation or slavery can report information to the Modern Slavery Helpline – 08000121700.
