Arrests as part of Brazil sex trafficking inquiry

Five people have been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged human sex trafficking on Teesside.

Cleveland Police said it had carried out a year-long inquiry into "vulnerable people" being moved from Brazil to Middlesbrough and Hartlepool.

Det Sgt John Bentley said women were allegedly being brought into the UK "for use in the adult sexual services industry, mainly online".

Four men, aged 25, 29, 39 and 40, and a 41-year-old woman, were arrested during raids on suspicion of human trafficking and forced labour offences.

Those arrested have been released on bail as the investigation continues.

Cleveland Police said it had been in contact with more than 10 potential victims and they were taken into protection.

Det Sgt Bentley said the force had uncovered a suspected "international human trafficking organisation", operating in the Cleveland Police area and nationally.

"A member of the public was concerned about the comings and goings at a certain address and spoke to the local neighbourhood police," he added.

"They came out and established that something was amiss and they came to us - we have a specialised team of detectives."

He explained that conditions in properties varied but those inside "will not leave them because of threats and coercion".

Victims are often debt-bonded after entering into an agreement but "the debt is never repaid", he said.

Officers secured three Slavery and Trafficking Orders, which are civil orders used to protect vulnerable people from criminal exploitation and deter future offending.

Det Sgt Bentley described modern slavery as a "national problem" but ruled out the North East being a hotspot.

Yasmin Khan, director of the Halo project, which supports vulnerable women, said it had supported multiple victims of trafficking so far this year.

"We must do more to raise awareness and provide the much needed care and support to our victims," she said.

"However, we must work relentlessly to bring organised gangs and perpetrators to account and ensure evidence can lead to prosecutions."

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