Three suspects arrested in investigation over 'appalling' slavery ring run at Gypsy camp

From the Standard

It brings the total of arrested suspects to seven as South Wales Police search the site for human remains.

Six men aged 66, 42, 36 53, 38 and 20, and a 42-year-old women are all being questioned in relation to the ring that has rocked the Newport and Cardiff area.

The police’s Operation Imperial was launched after a "vulnerable" British man was found earlier in the year living in poor conditions on Cariad Farm in Peterstone.

The site is described locally as Gypsy and Traveller accommodation.

The alleged victim has been named as Darrell Simester, a 43-year-old Worcestershire resident who had been missing for 13 years after disappearing while holidaying in Porthcawl, south Wales.

He was found with torn clothes and several of his teeth missing, and told police that he was forced to work 12 hours a day by his cruel captors after being lured in by the offer of a job.

Another victim, a Polish man, was discovered on the site on Monday, and the traumatised man has been taken to "a place of safety" to have his mental and physical health assessed.

And a third victim, a 60-year-old man, was allegedly discovered at an address in St Brides, Newport.

A Home Office spokesman said: "It is an appalling reminder of the extent to which slavery has reappeared in our country.

"The Home Secretary has made clear her determination to tackle the scourge of modern slavery and the organised criminal gangs behind it.

This is a fast-moving and complicated investigation and we are grateful to the public for the continued assistance and support they have shown so far

Detective Superintendent Paul Griffiths

"We are already taking action on a number of fronts. We are working with front line professionals to help them better identify and support potential victims."

Detective Superintendent Paul Griffiths called for support from the public for the investigation: "This is a fast-moving and complicated investigation and we are grateful to the public for the continued assistance and support they have shown so far.

"I'm still appealing for anyone with any information to contact us on 101 quoting log 66 23/09/13.

"Alternatively if anyone has information and would rather not pass this directly to the police then I would urge them to contact Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police and guarantees complete anonymity, on 0800 555111."

Wales, Newport, Cardiff, raid