Arrest in Dumpton as part of modern slavery investigation

blue-light-73088_640 — Emergency services

A man was arrested at a property in Dumpton yesterday (December 22) as part of an investigation into modern slavery.

Officers attended Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs – near the Post Office and Brown Jug – yesterday morning.

A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police officers attended Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs on Thursday 22 December as part of an investigation into alleged modern slavery.

“A man has been arrested and released on bail while enquiries continue.”

In January this year Thanet councillors were told that the isle accounted for 11% of modern slavery/human trafficking reports made in east Kent in six months from August 2021, including fears of sexual and labour exploitation of young women at a food outlet and a case of suspected forced labour.

The figure was revealed by Kent Police District Commander for Thanet, Chief Inspector Matthew Smith.

Between August 2021 and January 2022 there were 12 Thanet reports of modern slavery and/or human trafficking.

Eight related to adults and four to children and included a range of criminal actions from County Lines drug running to forced labour.

Chief Insp Smith said work to tackle the exploitation was carried out by partners in the Multi Agency Task Force. These include officers from Kent Police’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking team, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), Border Force, Thanet council, Kent Fire and Rescue, HMRC and Dept for Work and Pensions.