‘Travelers’ – not exploited, but exploiters
As four men, all from the same family of ‘travelers’ have been charged with slavery offences relating to four people at the Green Acres Caravan Park in Leighton Buzzard site in Bedfordshire … more shocking news of how 'treveler' gangs exploit vulnerable homeless people.
Mike Nicholas, of Thames Reach, said there had been "occasional rumours a year or so ago" about people sold into slavery in the UK, but confirmation had come over the last few months including one case where a man was "bought" for £100.
Most of 20 the victims helped by Thames Reach are said to be of Central and Eastern-European origin. The charity said the eastwards expansion of the European Union in 2004 saw an increase in the number of people coming toBritain
Nicholas warned gangs were "preying upon desperate and vulnerable people" and keeping them in properties against their will. He said they were "turning up in vans and trying to recruit people" at homeless shelters and soup kitchens. More details here.
A letter from a former homeless volunteer in the London Standard (14 September 2011) writes,“gangs would arrive in their vans (at a hostel) and cart off residents, some of whom were in their ‘fifties, for a day’s labour for very little return – just cans of beer or small sums of money. One of the residents told me that he had been held against his will on a gypsy caravan site and forced to work for just his food and his bed”
The volunteer, Cyril Thomas from Vauxhall, continues, “This has been a well-known feature for some time of how the travelling community ‘earn’ their money and they should be exposed and prosecuted for this vile crime.”
There’s more evidence of criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people, but how many of these gangs are ‘travelers’?
London-based homelessness charity Thames Reach told say they have found 20 cases recently where people had come to them for help after escaping captivity.Mike Nicholas, of Thames Reach, said there had been "occasional rumours a year or so ago" about people sold into slavery in the UK, but confirmation had come over the last few months including one case where a man was "bought" for £100.
Most of 20 the victims helped by Thames Reach are said to be of Central and Eastern-European origin. The charity said the eastwards expansion of the European Union in 2004 saw an increase in the number of people coming to
Nicholas warned gangs were "preying upon desperate and vulnerable people" and keeping them in properties against their will. He said they were "turning up in vans and trying to recruit people" at homeless shelters and soup kitchens. More details here.
Bedfordshire police investigating the Green Acres case say they have dismantled a slavery ring operated by a "family-run organised crime" syndicate that forced vulnerable men to live in appalling conditions for little or no pay.
Travellers groups have expressed concerns that the arrests, carried out in front of television cameras, will lead to a backlash against their community.
independent.co.uk
22 September, 2011
Wouldn’t you know it, Basildon Council is paying rent and council tax rebates to some 25 ‘households’ at Dale Farm.
A council spokesman said the maximum they could claim was £25 a week in housing benefit and £845 a year for council tax.
"People are entitled to make a claim even if the property they are renting does not have planning permission," she said. telegraph.co.uk
22 September, 2011
Wouldn’t you know it, Basildon Council is paying rent and council tax rebates to some 25 ‘households’ at Dale Farm.
A council spokesman said the maximum they could claim was £25 a week in housing benefit and £845 a year for council tax.
"People are entitled to make a claim even if the property they are renting does not have planning permission," she said. telegraph.co.uk
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