Black Country factory shut down over suspected slave and child labour
A Black Country factory has been shut down after more than a dozen suspected modern slavery victims were found during a police raid.
The factory on Anne Road in Smethwick, which West Midlands Police has declined to name, was raided on Wednesday after officers received information the factory was involved in labour exploitation and trafficking.
A total of 15 suspected exploitation victims were found, including one child, after police spoke to around 60 workers to check their identities and salaries.
The bosses of the factory, who are also under investigation by HMRC, face fines of up to £20,000 for each worker found to have been exploited.
The child worker has been safeguarded by Sandwell children’s services until their age and parent or guardian can be identified.
Inspector Colin Gallier, from the Sandwell neighbourhood team, said: “As a result of the hard work and ultimately the important information that has come from members of the public, we have successfully shut the business down indefinitely.”
A spokesman for Sandwell Council added: “Working together with partner organisations on operations like this is essential for tackling modern slavery and human trafficking.”
The factory was also found to be using electricity diverted from the grid.
