GWENT Police is joining three other forces in Wales for a week of action to raise awareness of slavery, identify offences, and support victims.

The aim is to break down traditional views of slavery in the community, offer support to victims, and tackle the perpetrators.

Gwent officers will focus on areas in the community where the risk of slavery is highest, with similar work being carried out by South Wales, North Wales and Dyfed Powys Police.

The initiative comes just days after four men - Patrick Joseph Connors, Patrick Dean Connors, Lee Christopher Carbis and William Connors - were jailed for a total of 27 years for their parts in treating two vulnerable men as modern day slaves, with some of the offences taking place in Gwent.

Gwent officers took part in an operation at Newport Docks, also involving agencies such as the UK Border Agency and the Driver & Vehicle standards Agency, in response to what Inspector Matt Havard, who led the operation, called "concerns and reports from members of the public living in this area."

Five ships were boarded and inspected, and 17 cabins were searched with help from the UK Border Agency and Special Branch.

One confirmed case of benefit fraud, and three suspected cases, were picked up, and a man was arrested for non-payment of a fine.

More than 60 vehicles were also stopped and issues identified included: Driving without a licence, or insurance, or both; a range of road traffic offences; vehicles found to be overloaded or not roadworthy, for which prohibitions were issued.

"At a time when there is talk about cuts to funding and reduced numbers, hopefully this will reassure the public that when we share responsibility with our partners we can still provide a very effective service. We will be out again,” said Inspector Havard.

Detective Superintendent Leanne Brustad, the operational policing lead on modern slavery for Wales, said people might imagine that modern day slavery only happens in foreign countries.

"But slavery still exists in Wales today. Forced labour is the most common purpose of trafficking in industries such as agriculture, construction and hospitality," she said.

"Awareness of modern slavery has increased with the passing of the Modern Slavery Act in 2015 however, more work needs to be done to raise knowledge of these types of crimes in Wales.

“Victims of these kinds of offences are sometimes unaware that they are victims, or are in fear from those controlling them.

"I would urge anyone who suspects that someone is being treated in this way to contact 101 so they can receive the appropriate help and support.”

Signs that someone might be a victim of modern slavery include them: Not having a passport or other means of identification; appearing withdrawn and refusing to talk to, or appearing afraid to talk to, a person in authority; being unable, or reluctant to give details of accommodation or other personal details; having limited freedom of movement.

Anyone suspecting slavery may call police on 101, or in an emergency 999, or the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 012 1700.