In a statement, released by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority yesterday, the GLAA arrested the pair on suspicion of modern slavery offences after carrying out a morning raid in Chilworth, near Southampton, on Tuesday morning (30 October).

The statement added GLAA officers acted after a frail Polish man told staff at a walk-in centre in Southampton that he had been forced to work in exchange for food.

The potential victim reported that he had been sleeping on a plastic sun lounger in the shed at the bottom of the garden and was given out of date food to eat. He also claimed he had no flushing toilet and that his kitchen was a fridge and barbecue.

The man has been accepted into the government’s National Referral Mechanism, a process for ensuring victims of modern slavery and human trafficking are given the help and support that they need.

Both suspects have been released under investigation pending further enquiries. The GLAA added officers also searched the property and seized evidence that may prove critical to the investigation.

The operation, supported by officers from Hampshire Police, was the second case of a potential victim living in a shed for a significant period of time. Earlier this month, GLAA officers arrested a British man on suspicion of modern slavery after finding a potential victim believed to have lived in a 6ft shed in Cumbria for the last 40 years.

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