Accompanying the 'heart-pounding' police raid of hotel that led to multiple arrests |
Police raids linked to modern slavery are rarely witnessed by anyone outside law enforcement.
In this first-person piece, our reporter went along with officers executing a modern slavery warrant, offering a behind-the-scenes account of the operation and the moments that stayed with them long after it ended.
Accompanying the police on a major ‘human exploitation’ raid was as heart-pounding as one might expect, not least when we were sailing past the morning commuter traffic.
Upon invitation – I went to Thames Valley Police HQ on January 14 to watch the force in action.
Others might have been bleary eyed at 7am on a Wednesday morning but I wasn’t, having frozen half to death as I de-iced my car as well as blaring James Bond anthems on the journey as I ensured I was in the right frame of mind.
Nor did the Thames Valley Police officers look drowsy, fully kitted out and ready for the intense operation that was to follow.
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That morning they were heading to Oxo Hotel (formerly Eurobar) to raid the premises as part of an investigation into ‘human exploitation’.
Months of work had gone into it already and I could detect some nerves, although whether that was a fear that something may go wrong or just normal operation jitters I couldn’t say.
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A detective chief inspector at the station was friendly as were all the other officers, including those who drove me to the raid, and it was a particular thrill as we switched on the flashing blue lights and in a four-vehicle convoy passed the miles of commuter traffic heading into Oxford.
How many times have I been stuck in a queue like those poor souls? How many times have I wished I had my own set of police lights? Countless…
Police arrest a man at his Oxford home (Image: Matthew Evans)
Having quickly parked close to Oxford Castle to ensure we were together, we went on to the hotel.
Officers moved quickly in what can only be described as orderly chaos, searching the premises from top to bottom.
As it was early in the morning, some guests were clearly woken up when police knocked on their hotel door, as further evidenced by their tired expressions.
Police prepare for the operation (Image: Matthew Evans)
There was further commotion as police arrested a man for obstruction after questioning.
Having cleared the address, I was whisked over to a nearby property where one of the leading suspects was being arrested.
The man was taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
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The inspector in charge of the operation seemed pleased with how the initial stages had gone and I had to agree.
They’d been targeted, organised and dealt with any difficulties efficiently and with care.
Of course what is now likely to follow will be a lengthy investigation and possible court process.