People smuggling

25 held following national people-smuggling crackdown

A national crackdown on people-smuggling has led to 25 arrests and the identification of more than 100 alleged victims.

Dozens of raids were staged across the UK in a week-long operation targeting people-trafficking and slavery gangs, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

Those arrested last week included a number held for alleged modern slavery - two, including a nail bar manager, in Devon; and a woman who is also suspected of money laundering in Bath.

Fourteen arrests, mostly for alleged immigration offences, were made in Wiltshire; five Albanians were held for the same alleged crimes in Gloucestershire; and a car wash manager was arrested on suspicion of money laundering in Cheshire.