Dozens of suspected trafficking victims working on London building sites have been identified after dawn raids on a gang.

Eight alleged ringleaders were arrested in an operation which also saw a gun and larges amounts of cash seized.

The 55 trafficked males, one of whom is a child, were found staying in overcrowded houses and enduring grim conditions. 

The floors of the ‘extremely cramped’ properties were entirely covered with mattresses so as many people as possible could be crammed in.

A senior Metropolitan Police officer said he believes there are modern slavery victims in every corner of the capital and called on Londoners to report suspected cases.

It’s the culmination of an 18 month investigation into a Romanian gang operating in the UK.

The Met worked with police in Bucharest who launched simultaneous raids on the groups suspected domestic leaders.

Eight men were taken to a north London police station on suspicion of trafficking after four houses in Harrow and Brent were searched.

They are aged between 22 and 49 and are facing charges under the Modern Slavery Act, including forcing someone into compulsory labour.

Five more suspected gang leaders were arrested in Romania in raids which also turned up 250,000 euros and gold.

Detective constable Dec Wilson said: ‘Often those affected do not see themselves as potential victims of labour exploitation and many will have been coerced into this life to make money for an organised crime network.

‘We believe there are victims of modern slavery in every borough across London and the public may encounter them every day, possibly without realising. 

‘As well as being exploited for labour, victims have been found working in construction, domestic servitude, agriculture, cannabis factories and in places you use yourself, such as car washes, barbers and nail bars.

‘Victims are often told the police and authorities in the UK are not to be trusted and with limited English the victims are unable to seek help, even if they want to.’

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