Three men from Grimsby arrested in 'car wash slaves' investigation
Police investigating forced labour at a car wash in Louth have arrested three men from Grimsby including a teenager
Peter CraigReporter
The New Hand Car Wash in Louth (Image: Facebook)
Three men from Grimsby have been arrested in an investigation into alleged modern day slavery at a car wash.
As part of the investigation, Lincolnshire Police have appealed for information about an assault of a worker at the car wash in Louth.
Officers are especially keen to hear from a taxi driver who may have witnessed the incident.
Police officers are investigating allegations of forced labour and arrested three men on Thursday on suspicion of modern day slavery offences.
The men, aged 49, 27 and 19 years are currently in police custody.
The allegations relate to workers at the New Hand Car Wash on the Fairfield industrial estate in Louth.
A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: "Officers investigating allegations of forced labour have arrested three men on suspicion of modern day slavery offences.
"The men, all from the Grimsby area, were arrested on Thursday. They are aged 49, 27 and 19 and are currently in police custody.
"The allegations relate to workers at the New Hand Car Wash on the Fairfield industrial estate in Louth.
"We would like to speak to anyone who has information that they believe could assist with our investigation. "
As part of the investigation police confirmed they are looking at an assault at the car wash.
The spokesman said: "We would like to speak to anyone who has information that they believe could assist with our investigation.
"We would like to make a specific plea to witnesses of a possible assault of a worker, which occurred at the car wash within the last three weeks. We believe that a taxi driver may be among the witnesses who could help."
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The police spokesman urged anyone with information to contact Lincolnshire Police either by calling the non-emergency number 101 and quoting log number 144 of January 11. Alternatively people with information or know the taxi driver being sought can email force.control@lincs.pnn.police.uk or anyone wishing to remain anonymous can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Lincolnshire slavery cases
Five members of the Rooney family from Lincoln were given sentences of up to 15 years and nine months in 2017 for exploiting people with the offer of work for very poor pay and accommodation in squalid conditions (Image: LincolnshireLive)
Lincolnshire Police had success with a high-profile modern day slavery investigation which convicted 11 members of a gang, most of them from the same Rooney family from Lincoln.
They targeted victims because they were vulnerable and homeless.
Some of the 18 victims had learning disabilities or mental health issues, or dependent on alcohol or drugs. Others were forced to sign over their home.
The victims were housed in caravans without running water or access to toilet facilities, and in some cases the electricity to them was dangerously obtained from a nearby pylon. The worked at surfacing driveways and laying block paving. The businesses operated illicitly by using stolen materials and tools and advertised on hoardings.
Five members of the Rooney family from Lincoln were given sentences of up to 15 years and nine months in 2017.
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Lincolnshire Police
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