Dear Resident,

Yesterday we acted on information from a member of the public who reported a suspicious smell coming from a farm in Offord Road, Graveley.

My team visited and forced entry into premises which were locked from the outside. Inside they found two men, aged 34 and 35, who are being treated as victims of modern slavery.

We also seized 1,845 cannabis plants with an estimated value of more than £1.5million.

An investigation is now underway to establish the circumstance and identify those responsible.

This incident highlights the impact that cannabis cultivation has in relation to modern day slavery and the funding of organised crime. They are inextricably linked and neither have any place in our communities.

Those who take advantage of others for organised criminality can expect to be brought to justice.

Modern slavery can happen anywhere in any situation. The signs of forced labour can be very different. Victims might look helpless and afraid, but they can also seem to accept their situation, be completely unaware of it, or even defend the people who are exploiting them.

If you think modern slavery is happening, tell someone as soon as you think it’s safe to. This could be about a victim, a suspect, or a particular business or place. You will always be taken seriously, and protection and support it available.

You can report modern slavery to us using our online crime reporting service. For more information about modern slavery and spotting the signs visit our dedicated webpage.

Kind regards,

Inspector Colin Norden

Huntingdonshire Neighbourhood Policing Team