Two arrested in sexual exploitation investigation

Two men have been arrested in connection with an investigation into sexual exploitation in Sheffield.

South Yorkshire Police said it had detained the men, aged 30 and 40, on suspicion of modern slavery and human trafficking concerning sexual exploitation, at the Port of Dover in Kent on Saturday.

Both men have since been released on police bail.

Officers said the action was linked to the arrests of four other people over the past six weeks.

Two men, aged 23 and 25, and two women, aged 25 and 31, all remain on bail after previously being arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences concerning sexual exploitation.

Det Insp James Smith, from South Yorkshire Police, said the force had launched an investigation in November after it received reports of sexual exploitation taking place in the Arbourthorne area of Sheffield.

He said: "We know that modern slavery and human trafficking is taking place in our communities in South Yorkshire and is often happening in plain sight in the towns and cities where we live and work.

"We continue to encourage anyone with information about modern slavery taking place in your area to report it to us so we can identify and protect victims, and those who could be at risk of exploitation."

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