Early this morning police swooped on two nail bars and two addresses in Wokingham.

Thames Valley Police has carried out a number of warrants at addresses across the country this morning as part of an operation to clampdown on human trafficking.

Thames Valley Police led a multi-agency operation resulting in 17 co-ordinated raids in Berkshire, Yorkshire and London at about 10am today.

More than 150 officers executed the warrants at three nail bars and three addresses in Reading, two nail bars and two addresses in Wokingham, one address in West Berkshire, five addresses in London and one nail bar in York.

The Force was supported by the Metropolitan Police Service and North Yorkshire Police, as part of the operation known as Rehoboam.

The warrants were executed after an 18 month investigation.

A number of arrests have been made and victims have been recovered. Further details about the arrests will be published later.

Investigating officer, Det Ch Insp Rebecca Mears said: “I would like to thank the public for their co-operation and patience while we continue to carry out our enquiries at the 17 properties across the country.

“Thames Valley Police is committed to tackling human trafficking and will work with communities to stop such crimes.

“It is a criminal offence to traffic people into the UK. It is an offence to force people, by threats or coercion, to work unpaid or to pay off a debt. It is an offence to make people carry out acts against their will.

“The key aim of this operation is to protect vulnerable people. The victims in this investigation have been taken to rest centres where they are being supported by Thames Valley Police, the British Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

“Extra police community support officers will be out on patrol today speaking to residents and businesses to inform them of today’s operation and provide reassurance.”