TEN people have now been arrested by police following this morning's raids targeting slavery in the city.

About 150 officers have been involved in the 6am raids under an investigation into human exploitation, slavery and fraud called Operation Rague.

Seven people were initially arrested at Redbridge Hollow, off Old Abingdon Road, South Oxford, early this morning and are currently being held by police.

Warrants were also executed at two addresses in Blackbird Leys and Rose Hill.

Police have just announced a further three people have been arrested but have not specified where they were picked up. One was at Redbridge but the other two were elsewhere in the city.

It is understood there will be no further warrants executed today.

Police have been working on Rague for months in liaison with the National Crime Agency. The NCA's UK human trafficking centre, South Oxfordshire Council and Vale of White Horse District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, HM Revenue and Customs, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross were involved in today's operation.

Superintendent Andy Boyd, the commander for the Vale of White Horse police area, said: "This morning's warrants were focused on only specific addresses at Redbridge Hollow.

"There is a only minority of people there who have been committing offences.

"We have been working on this for a little while.

"We anticipate there will be further arrests over the next 24 hours."

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He added: "We have been speaking to victims for a little while.

"This is different to human exploitation operations such as the one in Bedfordshire. We have been speaking to the victims for a while and some of the offending is historic rather than current."

The victims are being helped by the health and local authorities.

Supt Boyd said: "Our priority at this time is to care for those individuals who have been subject to these offences."

The details of the arrested people are:

Thames Valley Police worked with the National Crime Agency’s UK Human Trafficking Centre, South Oxfordshire Council and Vale of White Horse District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, HM Revenue and Customs, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross.

Thames Valley Police is supporting victims with assistance from our partner agencies.

The details of arrests are as follows:

  • A 44-year-old woman from Oxford was arrested on suspicion of servitude/ slavery
  • A 56-year-old man from Oxford was arrested on suspicion of servitude/ slavery
  • A 44-year-old man from Oxford was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and exploitation offences
  • A 47-year-old man from Oxford was arrested on suspicion of servitude/slavery, assault and making threats to kill
  • A 44-year-old man from Oxford was arrested on suspicion of trade offences
  • A 20-year-old man from Oxford was arrested on suspicion of fraud
  • A 44-year-old man from Oxford was arrested on suspicion of fraud
  • A 19-year-old man from Oxford, an 18-year-old man from Oxford and a 27-year-old man from Oxford were the latest three arrests but police have not yet provided fuller details.

Supt Boyd said: “I would like to thank residents for their co-operation and patience while we continue to carry out enquires in relation to these alleged offences.  

“Our priority at this time is to work with our partners in the local councils and the health service to protect victims of human exploitation and slavery, prevent any further offences and carry out a thorough investigation.

“These alleged offences are matters which are taken extremely seriously by Thames Valley Police and I would urge anybody with any information to contact us. We understand that some people may have been afraid to report these matters but the police action today demonstrates our commitment to tackling these offences and will enable any other potential victims to come forward.

“I would urge anyone who has any information to contact us via the 101 number, or through Crimestoppers, which is anonymous.

“Extra police officers will be out on patrol in the area today and if anyone has any concerns or information please speak to them.”

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Pictures courtesy Thames Valley Police

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