THREE people have been issued with Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders following a hearing at Bristol Magistrates’ Court last Friday (September 20).

Tien Thi Bui, 56, from Westbury; Manh Bui, 29, from Trowbridge; and Linh Bui, 32, from London did not contest the order, which was applied for by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU).

The application followed a series of visits between February and May to Westbury Nails on Edward Street in Westbury, Trow Tips and Toes in Trowbridge, and Boutique Nails on High Street, Worle.

Officers from the SW ROCU’s Disruption Team were supported by officers from Wiltshire Police, HMRC and Trading Standards.

The two-year order prohibits the three from:

* employing any worker unless that worker is registered for UK National Insurance and Tax;

* employing any worker directly or indirectly, unless all relevant Health and Safety at Work, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health and employment law or regulations are complied with;

* providing accommodation of any kind to staff save as a service tenant under an assured short hold tenancy and providing that the requirements of the National Minimum Wage are complied with; and

* taking possession of any original documents belonging to staff save for temporary possession in order to make copies for proper record-keeping.

Detective Sergeant Dan Watts of the SW ROCU’s Disruption Team, said: “This order is about protecting people working in such premises – in this case exclusively Vietnamese workers – from the risk of slavery and trafficking.”

“It reflects a determination to use all available powers and intelligence, from multiple agencies, to protect vulnerable people from harm.”

Detective Superintendent Jeremy Carter, Force Lead for Modern Slavery at Wiltshire Police, said: “This is an excellent example of joint working with the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit in developing intelligence and using all available powers to protect vulnerable people in society.

“This is a great outcome and reinforces our commitment to tackle modern slavery. At Wiltshire Police, we will always look at alternative options to protect people at risk of exploitation and our Community Policing Teams will continue to work with the SW ROCU to make sure these orders are adhered to.”