Two suspected human traffickers are set to appear in court today after being arrested during a string of dawn raids in east Kent.

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

Eleven different locations were searched in total throughout the day.

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

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 has since authorised charges against both men of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, contrary to the 2015 Modern Slavery Act.

Both men have also been charged with possession of criminal property and are due to appear before Medway magistrates for a remand hearing today Thursday May 17.

A 39-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman, both from Folkestone, were also arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences yesterday.

The pair have been released on bail pending further enquiries 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.