Raids including an operation in Kingston took place this morning (March 16) aimed at breaking up a reported modern slavery ring.

Police said the raids were part of 'Operation Snoop' that with the Met Police's Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation Unit [MSCE] targets the trafficking of Chinese women in to the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Six men and two women were arrested in the raids that targeted locations in Kingston as well as in Hackney, Hounslow, Bexleyheath, Watford after a "years-long" investigation into slavery in the region.

The Met said the suspected were arrested on suspicion of crimes including "controlling prostitution for gain contrary to Section 53 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003" and "arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation contrary to Sections 2(1) and 5(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015".

It is believed that some of the addresses raided by police were operating as brothels.

The officers involved included interpreters and Mandarin-speaking police.

The Met added that vulnerable people at the addresses were now receiving support from specialist officers.

"This morning’s operation, despite being the culmination of a lengthy investigation, is only the first step in bringing the people arrested to face the consequences for their actions," Acting Detective Inspector Nick Bland of the Central Specialist Crime Unit said.

"Young women who are trafficked in to this country for sexual exploitation are often sold a dream in terms of what their life in the UK may look like, that dream is quickly unraveled upon their arrival to the country, where they will often be forced to live in abject poverty and be at the beck and call of their traffickers.

"In some cases it is impossible for these women to escape to their home countries as their travel documents are confiscated.

"We know that crimes such as these are amongst some the most damaging to victims. They will no doubt have suffered untold pain and distress during their time in this country under the influence of these individuals," he added.

The Surrey Comet previously spoke with modern slavery expert Jakub Sobik from Anti-Slavery International, who described the scale of the problem today in the UK.

He said that numbers of people forced into modern slavery in the UK was "in the tens of thousands", referencing the National Crime Agency.

"In 2013 the UK government estimated there were around 13,000 people are in modern slavery at any time.

"Poverty and discrimination are involved. For example, migrants coming to the UK and working illegally without a network of support are easy targets who can be taken advantage of.

"Especially if they know that coming forward to the authorities means they will be criminalized for working illegally and for their immigration — that plays into the hands of traffickers," he said.

"Victims are being treated as criminals way too often and not being given the support they need."