Nick Kinsella said: "This operation demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to tackle human trafficking.

"The UKHTC has been integral to this investigation providing tactical and strategic advice both operationally and in the care of potential victims that are recovered as a result of this operation.

"The UKHTC has firm roots as a centre of expertise in the ongoing fight against Human Trafficking and the training and best practice we are continuing to develop is ensuring a co-ordinated approach to this crime."

Andy Baker, deputy director of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, said the agency was committed to working with its partner agencies to counter the threat from and reduce the harm caused by those suspected of trafficking migrants into the UK for labour exploitation purposes.

He said: "More than 60 of our officers were involved in today's operation including members of our vulnerable persons team who are assisting colleagues from Northamptonshire Police and are offering support to those individuals who we believe were being exploited.

"SOCA is also determined to tackle human trafficking by focusing on the countries migrants come from and the ones they travel through.

"We are working closely with our international partners to increase the risk to serious organised criminals in other countries and reduce the profitability of their activities."

Paul Whitehouse, chairman of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority said:
"Protecting vulnerable workers and dealing with rogue gangmasters is what we do.

"The action taken today shows that no gangmaster can get away with this abuse, the GLA and our colleagues in other agencies are watching and will deal with the unscrupulous individuals that use their control over the lives of their workers to cause misery."

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Full story and pictures in Wednesday's Evening Telegraph