Five people have been arrested over the alleged exploitation of Romanian fruit workers in Medway.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate executed a warrant at a property in Chatham in the early hours of Friday last week and officers arrested five people on suspicion of human trafficking and modern slavery offences.

Four were men aged between 19 and 39 and the fifth was a 41-year-old woman.

All five have since been released from custody pending further inquiries and a number of identified victims have been taken to a place of safety.

Detective Sergeant Stacey Chapman, of the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking team, said: "Victims of modern slavery and human trafficking offences are often made to work long hours for very little reward, brought to this country on the promise of a better life but forced to endure terrible living conditions and threatened with violence or deportation if they dare to challenge those responsible.

"Tackling this type of offending is a priority for Kent Police and we encourage anyone who suspects it may be happening in their town or village to contact us as soon as possible by calling 101 or visiting www.kent.police.uk/report. You can also call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or the national Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.

"Signs that someone may be held in slavery include them looking malnourished or unkept, appearing anxious and avoiding eye contact, or living in cramped, dirty and overcrowded accommodation.

"Human trafficking and modern slavery have no place in a civilised society and we all have a part to play in ensuring it does not go unnoticed."

Meanwhile farms throughout the South East have been inundated with applications from British workers, following nationwide reports of a shortage of pickers during the coronavirus crisis.

However many new applicants have been unsuccessful, with the National Farmers Union suggesting the South East has a less depleted workforce than other areas.

Read more: all the latest news from Medway