Slavery swoop

Four men and a woman were arrested in Britain on Sunday after police raided a travelers' caravan site where 24 men were being held in squalid conditions as "slaves."

The operation, involving up to 200 officers, took place near to the English town of Leighton Buzzard, some 70 kilometers (44 miles) northwest of London.

"The men we found at the site were in a poor state of physical health and the conditions they were living in were shockingly filthy and cramped," said police chief inspector Sean O'Neil.

"We believe that some of them had been living and working there in a state of virtual slavery, some for just a few weeks and others for up to 15 years," he said.

The men were believed to have been vulnerable individuals - including the homeless and alcoholics. Police believe they were recruited from soup kitchens and benefits offices with the lure of 80 pounds a day ($125/95 euros) in payment for work - as well as board and lodgings.

'Forced to live in kennels and caravans'

Once at the site, it is alleged, the men had their hair cut off and were forced to live in kennels, horseboxes or caravans.

The victims, mostly English with some from Poland and Romania, were taken for medical treatment following the raid.

The nature of the work the men were alleged to have been made to do, and the reason they did not escape sooner, was not made clear. However, it is believed they were threatened with violence if they did leave.

Local police launched an investigation after a number of accusations were made by people claiming to have escaped from the site. Weapons, drugs and money were found at the scene.

Author: Richard Connor (AP, AFP, dpa)
Editor: Martin Kuebler