Modern slavery operation leads to an arrest

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit (MHSTU) conducted a three-day operation to tackle modern slavery and exploitation in the county.

The operation took place between Monday 3 and Wednesday 6 February with officers visiting suspected brothels in Potters Bar and St Albans, after intelligence was received relating to people potentially being sexually exploited. 

The MSHTU, working with local neighbourhood policing teams and Scorpion officers, also attended an address in Barnet suspected of being used by sex workers. During the operation a 56-year-old man from North London was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to control prostitution. He has been released on bail whilst the investigation continues.

Detective Sergeant Carmine Zanfardino, from the MSHTU, said: “We spoke to numerous women within these addresses who were all foreign nationals and helped them with any safeguarding concerns. The women were also helped to access the Salvation Army, Red Cross, ISVAs and Victim Navigators. I would like to thank the Vineyard Church, in St Albans, who allowed us to use their church as a reception centre where potential victims could be taken to, and our partners could use as a base.

“This operation was intelligence led and whilst it is often difficult to recognise exploitation, we need people to be aware of the signs that someone is being exploited and report their suspicions. Whilst not all sex workers are victims of exploitation, many are vulnerable and are more at risk of exploitation by criminal gangs.

Anyone with concerns about human trafficking or modern slavery should call police via 101 or the national Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700. In an emergency call 999. The Beacon victim support service hotline, 03000 11 55 55 is open from Monday to Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 9am-5pm.