Grey economy targeted under national Operation Machinize 2

Suffolk police uncovered unsafe and squalid living conditions concealed within a business premises during a national multi-agency enforcement operation targeting exploitation and organised criminal activity.

Operation Machinize 2, led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), ran for seven weeks from mid-September and focussed on disrupting criminal networks operating within the grey economy in Suffolk.

The operation targeted cash-intensive businesses that are suspected of involvement in illegal employment, the sale of illicit goods, money laundering and modern slavery.

Businesses targeted included barber shops, nail bars, car washes, fast food establishments, sweet shops and convenience stores.

The concealed sleeping area was discovered in Haverhill and was hidden behind the public-facing section of a business, highlighting the hidden nature of exploitation.

A video of activity can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/_yLmckpWs4M

Suffolk Constabulary’s modern slavery vulnerability advisor John French said: “The room was tiny, with a rotten makeshift staircase and along the landing was a bed and directly underneath that was a bunk bed.

“The area had very little lighting, no ventilation or windows; it was filthy, with food scraps and rubbish covering the area, and only one entry point making it a serious fire risk.

“It was probably the worst sleeping conditions that I have ever seen, but it wasn’t the only unauthorised accommodation we found during this operation.

“This reinforces the need for continued vigilance across our communities.”

Op Machinize was successfully delivered in other parts of the country earlier this year and is the largest operation of its kind, dedicated to tackling economic crime and the grey economy that undermine the safety and prosperity of our high streets.

Its second phase was a co-ordinated, intelligence-led initiative involving Suffolk Constabulary and a range of partner agencies, working together to deliver an informed and robust response to criminality.

It involved officers from the constabulary’s Joint Roads and Armed Policing Team, Sentinel Team, Local Policing Team, Kestrel Team, along with police staff colleagues from the Modern Slavery Team and the Force Intelligence Unit.

Partner agencies included Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, Environmental Health, local housing authorities, the Serious Fraud Team from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU).

Activity was also supported by other police forces, including Metropolitan Police and Norfolk Constabulary.

Police and partners maintained a highly visible presence in communities across Suffolk, visiting more than 70 business premises in Saxmundham, Lowestoft, Kessingland, Beccles, Framlingham, Sudbury, Stowmarket and Haverhill.

The operation began in Ipswich, as part of the Clear Hold Build initiative.

Overall the activity in Suffolk resulted in 13 arrests, for various offences including immigration-related crimes, and seizures of more than 10,500 cigarettes, nearly 1,200 vapes and approximately 8kg of hand rolling tobacco.

Several businesses will face enforcement action with prohibition notices issued where conditions posed significant risks, and referrals have been made to fire inspectors.

Referral Notices for illegal working and renting mean businesses could face fines of up to £60,000 per worker, with landlords facing fines of up to £20,000 per tenant if found liable.

Police also spoke with approximately 120 individuals to ensure their welfare, and the intelligence gathered will be key for future operations and safeguarding efforts.

The intelligence behind the operation was gathered and developed by a range of means, and across multiple agencies, but community reports are key.

Mr French added: “We received reports of sexual exploitation at one business which reportedly sold alcohol to underage females in exchange for them exposing themselves.

“Other reports involved the sale of illicit and counterfeit goods, often hidden in modified compartments behind tills or within walls.

“These are dangerous because they lack proper safety regulation and pose higher health risks to the public than the legitimate products.

“Our Trading Standards partners used specially trained sniffer dogs to uncover these items.

“It is crucial that members of the public report anything suspicious to us so we can take appropriate action. Shutting down businesses that exploit workers helps disrupt the cycle of trafficking and abuse.”

Operation Machinize 2 drew significant media attention, with representatives from both local and national media joining Suffolk police and partners on a number of their visits.

This included the BBC, ITV News, Channel 4, Sky News and The Telegraph.

Police and partners were also joined by the NCA’s Senior Lead for Machinize 2 Sal Melki, and Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis on one of their days of activity in West Suffolk, while Suffolk Constabulary’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore attended another.

Overall items seized in Suffolk during the operation included:

• More than 10,500 counterfeit cigarettes;
• Nearly 1,200 vapes;
• Almost 8kg of hand-rolled tobacco; and
• A large quantity of funds within a bank identified as linked to organised crime.