The Headlines
A Former Harrods Employee Accuses Al-Fayed of Trafficking and Says His Brother Knew. A former employee of Mohamed al-Fayed has accused him of trafficking, rape, and abuse during her employment at Harrods, alleging his brother Ali may hold evidence of Harrods' complicity in covering up the abuse. Filed in a U.S. court, the claims suggest systematic exploitation and compare the scale of the alleged crimes to those of high-profile figures like Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein.
Read more at the New York Times
Immigration crackdown sees British modern slavery victims imprisoned. A change in UK government policy has led to the treatment of modern slavery primarily as an immigration issue, leaving foreign-born victims vulnerable to deportation and British victims often overlooked or imprisoned. Legislation like the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 has compounded these challenges, making it harder for victims forced into criminal acts to access support, while experts warn that many remain trapped without adequate protections due to a flawed and inconsistent system.
Read more at Open Democracy
Joint investigation sees suspected small boat supplier arrested in the Netherlands. A joint operation by the National Crime Agency, along with Dutch and Belgian partners, led to the arrest of a 44-year-old Turkish man suspected of supplying boats and engines to people-smuggling networks for cross-Channel crossings. This coordinated effort underscores the importance of international collaboration in combating organised immigration crime and disrupting dangerous smuggling operations.
Read more at the National Crime Agency
Indonesian Workers Say They Faced Modern Slavery in the UK. Who Is Responsible?
Indonesian workers recruited under the UK’s post-Brexit seasonal labor scheme have alleged exploitation, including debt bondage and modern slavery, due to mismatched visa durations and harvest seasons, high costs for recruitment, and unrealistic work targets. The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority is investigating the scheme, as both UK and Indonesian parties face scrutiny for failing to prevent such practices, leaving many workers in severe debt and unable to return home.
Read more at The Diplomat
Regional Stories
England
Scotland - Inverness: Traffickers sent messages about ‘people smuggling business’ – court hears. Evidence presented in a Scottish court reveals traffickers’ discussions about expanding their illicit operations. Read the full report here
- Edinburgh: Thai woman jailed for trafficking and forcing others into sex trade. Read the full report here
Wales - Caerphilly: People smuggling ring run from car wash – court. A criminal group allegedly used a car wash as a front for smuggling migrants, with trial details uncovering the operation’s structure. Read the full report here
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