A man and a woman – both in their thirties – were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and an offence of slavery after police raids yesterday
Officers forced entry into abattoir Higher Bury Street in Stockport while a second warrant was executed simultaneously at a residential property on Merlin Road in Blackburn, Lancashire.
A man also in his thirties was arrested at the abattoir after he tried to evade police, fleeing from the site and hiding on a nearby roof.
Police discovered he was an Albanian national living and working illegally in the UK. He is now being processed by Immigration Enforcement.
The operation took place after GMP received disclosure alleging a man who previously worked at the abattoir was a victim of modern day slavery.
The claims are that he was forced to live in the abattoir and work around the clock to pay off extortionate debts that were said to be associated with a sponsorship visa and travel expenses.
