Immigration raid on Northampton car wash could see three men deported

The three Albanian men are now being held at an immigration centre. They were arrested during a day of police activity in support of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) current two-week operation to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking.

Officers from the force’s dedicated modern slavery team were joined by Leicestershire Police to carry out visits at premises in Northampton and Kettering suspected of being used as brothels. Welfare visits were also made to car washes across the county.

No trafficking or exploitation offences were identified and safeguarding advice was given. A woman in Kettering was identified as overstaying her leave to remain in the UK and was detained. Her case will now be managed by immigration officers.

Tomorrow (Friday), officers from Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire police forces will be at East Midlands Airport, along with the UK Borders Agency (UKBA), to meet passengers and hand out literature. UKBA will have an information stand and Home Office guidance, advice and information about trafficking, slavery and forced labour will be distributed.

A police spokesman said: “We will be stationed at the airport, talking to people arriving in the UK for the first time. This is one of many enforcement operations at the airport based on intelligence, and we want to show we are there to help too, offering reassurance to people who may be coming to the UK against their will.

“We will be working with partner agencies – Gangmasters Licensing Authority, Home Office, Immigration and forces across the region – throughout the whole operation, bringing together our resources and intelligence to protect people from harm.”