A POSSIBLE fourth victim of forced labour and exploitation in South Gloucestershire and Bristol has come forward, police said today.

Following a series of warrants carried out on Sunday at three travellers’ sites in the district, three men were taken to a place of safety and given access to specialist help and support.

They were found after raids at Northwood Park in Winterbourne, Tall Trees in Almondsbury and Green Orchard in Easter Compton, a business unit and a house in South Gloucestershire and a residential property in Bristol. A suspected stolen trailer and cannabis plants were also seized at a farm in Somerset.

Yesterday, a further potential victim, a man in his 30s, came forward and is now being looked after by specialist support workers Avon and Somerset police said they are continuing to work with our partner agencies on this operation, including the National Crime Agency South Gloucestershire Council, the South Gloucestershire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and specialist charities, including anti-trafficking organisation Unseen, the Red Cross and The Salvation Army.

Head of CID, Chief Superintendent Julian Moss, said: “This remains an investigation very much focussed on locating, safeguarding and protecting victims.

“As a direct result of our operation on Sunday, another man has come forward identifying himself as a victim.

“This is a positive sign and we are hopeful more people will now feel able to speak out.”

He added: “I would like to say to anyone who feels they are a victim, please have the confidence to approach us. You can feel reassured that we will listen to you and you will be able to get all the help and advice you need.”

Seven people, four men aged 63, 59, 24 and 45, and three women aged 23, 59 and 43, have been arrested in connection with this operation so far, two for slavery offences, two for drugs and two for money laundering. They have all been released on bail to dates between mid-January and late February to allow police time to carry out further inquiries.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.