Northamptonshire-based A14 Vehicle Hire has had its Gangmasters licence revoked after allegations its accommodation caused a worker injury and concerns over worker safety.

Following a news release from Northamptonshire Police (recruiter.co.uk 19 November), according to the Gangmaster's Licensing Authority (GLA) the recruiter used overcrowded and unsafe accommodation, which has been closed down by local authorities, who discovered 15 workers and three children in a four-bedroom house. One worker was also run over by a leek rig which did not have safety equipment in place to ensure that the rig stopped on contact with any worker.

Paul Whitehouse, chairman of the GLA, said: "This was a scandalous set up with no regard for the individuals who suffered. Whilst we are satisfied that the evidence gathered to date justifies the immediate revocation of the licence, we are still assessing exactly what happened and gathering further evidence."

A14 Vehicle Hire, based in Kettering, must stop supplying workers to GLA regulated industries or face prosecution under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004.

Whitehouse added: "The fact that so many organisations have come  together to act in this way is a demonstration of how seriously we take our responsibility to support people who have been exploited in this way and to disrupt this unacceptable activity."

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