Suspected slaves found at Coventry restaurant during police raids

[dutchman]

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of slavery offences



Twelve suspected slaves have been found at an all-you-can-eat restaurant in Coventry.

The men were found at the Wing Wah, on Fletchamstead Highway, when officers raided the restaurant at 8am on Tuesday as part of a modern slavery operation.

Two other raids were carried out simultaneously in Wolverhampton and West Bromwich as part of the same investigation into the exploitation of eastern European workers for cheap labour.

An associated address in Handsworth, Birmingham, was also raided.

Police say they were acting on information which suggested staff were being brought into the UK and paid a pittance.

A total of 20 men, mainly from Slovakia and Romania, were discovered and living in poor conditions.

Of those, 12 suspected slaves were found in Coventry, five in Wolverhampton and three in Anthrobus Road in Handsworth.

West Midlands Police say they have been taken to a reception centre where they will be given an opportunity to speak to specially trained officers.

A 49-year-old man and 45-year-old woman, both Slovakian, have been arrested on suspicion of slavery offences by providing staff through a recruitment consultancy.

Further investigations are being carried out.

[dutchman]

Wing Wah bosses could sue police over anti-slavery raids

Bosses at a Coventry restaurant are considering suing West Midlands Police after being targeted in anti-slavery raids.

A solicitor acting for Wing Wah said the business “categorically denied” involvement in modern slavery and instead provided “local jobs for the community”.

They also claimed that West Midlands Police have “acted abysmally” in the wake of the raid last Tuesday which saw 12 people taken from the all-you-can-eat restaurant on Fletchamstead Highway.

Police said that the raid - along with a simultaneous one at the Ming Moon restaurant in Wolverhampton - came as they acted on information which suggested staff were being brought into the UK and paid a pittance.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, solicitor Ian Henery, who represents both restaurants, said of the prospect of legal action: “My clients are considering all options available to them.”

He added: “My clients are not gang masters - they provide local jobs for the community.

“The whole thing was a media circus. West Midlands Police has acted abysmally.

“All restaurant employees caught up in this have been shocked and traumatised.

“My clients categorically deny any wrongdoing and are fully co-operating with the police to resolve this as a matter of urgency.”

He told the press conference that a total of 19 individuals found in police raids at the two sites – both part of the same group – were returned to the restaurants or allowed home just hours later.

Police previously said the men were discovered as part of an investigation into the alleged exploitation of eastern European workers for cheap labour.

Mr Henery claimed all those described by police as suspected slaves were either returned to the restaurant or released to walk home later the same day.

He added: “None had needed to be rescued and the police have not needed to take anyone to live in special safe houses.

“No further action has been taken by the police.”

Mr Henery claimed all employees at both restaurants were paid at least the statutory minimum wage and extra hours worked could be claimed back in lieu.

Following the raids, a 49-year-old man and woman aged 45, both Slovakian, were arrested on suspicion of slavery offences.

They are not employees of Wing Wah or Ming Moon.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: “Our investigation is on-going. Two people remain on police bail pending further enquiries.”