Police and partners swoop on car washes and fruit-picking sites to bust labour abuse fears
Operation targets exploitative hotspots across Kent
From 14 to 18 September 2020, Kent Police’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking team hit multiple locations suspected of harbouring labour exploitation. Car washes, mini-markets, and fruit-picking sites in towns like Ashford, Canterbury, Chatham, Faversham, and Gravesend came under the microscope. Officers teamed up with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), Border Force, the Environment Agency, and charity Stop the Traffik to carry out raids.
No criminal offences were uncovered, but cops engaged with workers, handing out info on where to find help if needed. The message: you’re not alone, and help is available for those trapped in dodgy labour conditions.
Crackdown on illegal cockle-picking at Kent beaches
Meanwhile, the crackdown also extended to beaches where illegal cockle-picking has raised alarm bells. GLAA officers found a group of cockle-pickers and warned them about the risks of acting as unlicensed gangmasters. The menace of unsafe shellfish entering the food chain was also flagged. Officers seized 20kg of shellfish, with the Kent and Essex Inshore and Conservation Authority (KEICA) assisting in removing the haul.
Police and GLAA chiefs vow to keep fighting labour exploitation
“Tackling modern slavery and human trafficking is a shared responsibility,” said Detective Sergeant Stacey Chapman from Kent Police. “We work closely with partners to protect some of the most vulnerable. The sectors we visit are often targeted by criminals, which makes these operations vital. No worker should feel trapped or abused, and we want victims to come forward with confidence.”
GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Jennifer Baines added: “Partnership working is key to uncovering and stopping exploitation. Our recent visits to hand car washes and farms helped us interview workers, gather intelligence, and disrupt potential abuses. These markets are especially vulnerable, so staying vigilant is crucial.”
She urged the public to stay alert to signs of labour exploitation and to report concerns, stressing the human cost behind the services we all use.
