(Image: Northumbria Police)
Three people have been arrested as part of an investigation into modern slavery in the North East.
Acting on intelligence, police made the arrests at addresses in Elswick in Newcastle, Bensham in Gateshead, and Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, last Wednesday (October 14).
The trio, women, aged 63 and 39, and a 32-year-old man, were arrested on suspicion of controlling prostitution for gain, fraud by false representation and concealing criminal property.
All three have been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue.
Police arrested three people in swoops on three addresses amid investigation into modern slavery
Detective Inspector Ashley Loader, of Northumbria Police, said: “These arrests demonstrate our ongoing commitment to tackling modern slavery and targeting those who seek to exploit vulnerable people for their own gain.
“There is no wider risk to the public in relation to this investigation.
“This type of offending can have a devastating impact on victims.
“Modern slavery has no place in our communities.
"Inquiries remain ongoing and we will continue to work with our partners to safeguard those at risk and take robust action against anyone suspected of these types of offences.”
Anyone with information should message Northumbria Police on social media or use the 'live chat' and 'report' forms on the force website.
For those unable to use those methods, they are asked to use the 101 line.
Callers are asked to quote reference number 26000470495.
In a separate North East case, seven people were convicted in 2018 after eight victims were trafficked from Slovakia and the Czech Republic and exploited in the UK.