A man and a woman have been arrested on a farm in Cambridgeshire, England, earlier this week on suspicion of modern slavery and gangmaster offences.

It has been confirmed that the couple – thought to be Romanian – were arrested by officers of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

The couple – a 30-year-old man and his 32-year-old partner – were apprehended at a detached property in Ely on Monday morning (February 5).

Six workers who had been brought to the UK by the suspects and put to work in a salad processing factory were recovered from the same address, according to the GLAA.

They were all removed to a temporary reception centre where they continue to be supported and assessed as potential victims of human trafficking.

GLAA senior investigating officer Tony Byrne commented on the arrests. He said: “This once again demonstrates the GLAA’s commitment to using our enhanced remit to investigate reported instances of modern slavery, while remaining true to our founding principle of protecting vulnerable workers from exploitation.”

Investigators from the government authority – which protects vulnerable workers from exploitation – are being assisted on the operation by Cambridgeshire Police and the National Crime Agency.

The British Red Cross also helped by providing welfare support to the alleged victims, according to the government agency, which added that inquiries are continuing.