Operation Fulcrum
Thursday, June 25th, 2015
Multi-agency operation in Cardiff makes 20 arrests for offences including suspected forced labour, money laundering, theft and abstraction of electricity.
Yesterday, more than 250 officers and staff from South Wales Police and other law enforcement agencies, including the British Transport Police, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the National Crime Agency, executed a number of warrants at locations across Cardiff.
The operation is the culmination of several months planning and research focused on tackling key individuals involved in organised criminality residing within the Traveller community of Cardiff. During the course of the planning phase we identified activity and evidence relating to money laundering, large scale abstraction of electricity and more concerning, suspected forced labour.
The principle activity took place at the New House Farm, the Shirenewton Caravan site and a residential address on Newport Road in the Rumney area of Cardiff.
Yesterday’s police action represents the latest phase of Operation Fulcrum – South Wales Police’s commitment to keeping communities across Cardiff safe from organised crime.
During the course of the operation, twenty people were arrested for an array of offences, including suspected forced labour, money laundering, theft and the large scale abstraction of electricity. Suspected proceeds of crime ranging from luxury cars, including a Ferrari and a Range Rover, were seized along with a very substantial quantity of cash.
One of the most critical elements of yesterday’s operation, however, was our commitment to protecting British and foreign nationals from suspected forced labour and poor working conditions.
Working with key partners, including Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board, City of Cardiff Council and charities including BAWSO, New Pathways and the Red Cross, enabled the thirteen people who were found inside various addresses to be taken to a specialist reception centre where support is now being offered.
Yesterday’s Operation Fulcrum also sought to allay wider community concerns and reassure residents across Cardiff, in particular Rumney and St Mellons, of our commitment to tackling organised crime and other forms of criminality.
The partnership approach that is at the heart of Operation Fulcrum will continue in order to keep Cardiff a safe, diverse and proud City.
There is now an ongoing investigation which was supported by officers from the NCA, complimented
