A police probe into alleged people trafficking and slavery has resulted in six arrests today.

Detectives executed dawn raids on a number of east Kent homes as part of a crackdown by Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

The following were taken into custody on suspicion of trafficking offences against Czech nationals:

• A 52-year-old man and a 28-year-old man arrested at a location in Lydd

• A 34-year-old man and a 39-year-old man arrested during two separate warrants in Folkestone

• A 22-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman arrested at a property in Dover

Detective inspector James Derham said there was “no place in civilized society” for these crimes, where victims are forced to carry out “backbreaking work.”

“Human trafficking and modern slavery are two of the fastest-growing international crimes and a large source of income for the people responsible, who care little for the misery they inflict on victims who are often lured to the UK on the promise of a better life,” he said.

“Instead they are forced to carry out backbreaking or degrading work for little or no pay while living in substandard conditions and being mistreated and abused on a daily basis.

“Tackling human trafficking and modern slavery is a priority for Kent Police and we will be relentless in our pursuit of those whom we believe are responsible for the exploitation of others

“Such offences have no place in a civilised society and we are keen to do everything we can to prevent them from happening and protect those who are most at risk.”