Criminal elements of the British and Irish travelling community have been transporting vulnerable British men abroad to work as virtual slaves. The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom, says she fears this is only the tip of the iceberg.
One victim talks about his experience as a ‘slave’ in England and Sweden
An investigation by the BBC Ten O’Clock News and Radio 5 Live Breakfast has uncovered at least 32 victims.
The European Commission describes it as modern slavery and says this is the tip of the iceberg.
There have been confirmed cases in six European countries, including Sweden, Norway and Belgium.
The gangs pick vulnerable men off the streets in the UK, who are often homeless and many have drink or drugs problems.
They are promised well-paid work, but are then transported abroad where they are forced into long, hard days tarmacking or paving driveways for little or no money.
One man the BBC spoke to had arrived in the Swedish port of Malmo with two other Britons who all had been homeless when they were picked up. He has asked not to be named, because he fears for his safety.
The men worked 14-hour days for little or no pay and lived in appalling, cramped conditions. They were too frightened to escape, until the Swedish police offered them help. He says there was a culture of violence.
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