A father and son suspected of being human traffickers have been remanded in custody until next month.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate carried out early-morning raids in Folkestone, Dover and Lydd as part of an investigation into modern slavery offences in east Kent on Wednesday last week.

Petr Makula, 47, and his son Mario Makula, 25, were both arrested at their home in Granville Street, Dover, and taken into custody for questioning.

The Crown Prosecution Service charged against both men with arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, contrary to the 2015 Modern Slavery Act.

They were also charged with possession of criminal property and appeared before Medway magistrates for a remand hearing on Thursday.

Both have been remanded in custody until their first appearance at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday, June 14.

Eleven different locations were searched in total on Wednesday.

The case relates to a suspected organised crime network linking to the Czech Republic.

Two people from Folkestone, a 39-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman, were also arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences on Wednesday.

The pair have been released on bail pending further inquiries until Thursday June 7.

In total, 12 potential victims were identified by officers during the operation.

They were taken to a place of safety.

Any one who suspects human trafficking or modern slavery can report it at www.kent.police.uk/report or call 101.

Alternatively, call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or the National Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.