Man suspected of slavery offences is jailed

A man suspected of slavery offences has been jailed for four weeks for breaching a court order banning him from a city centre.

Fred Lamb, 42, admitted breaching the order, which was imposed after police received information about the exploitation of homeless people in Peterborough.

Lamb's brother Lucas, 36, was also banned from going into the city.

Cambridgeshire Police said the brothers "posed a real and serious threat" to vulnerable members of society.

The interim slavery and trafficking prevention orders were granted for the two brothers in October 2024.

Police said they received information suggesting the pair, from Trelowen Way in Peterborough, were "subjecting homeless people to violence and exploitation over a prolonged period".

On three separate occasions in December, and again on 28 January, Fred Lamb was caught on CCTV in the city centre, officers said.

He admitted four breaches and was sentenced on 30 January.

The interim orders remain in force until a final hearing at the same court on 4 March.

The brothers face imprisonment of up to five years if they breach the orders for any reason other than attending a pre-arranged medical appointment.

Sgt Steve Rose, from Peterborough's City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "The brothers' behaviour towards homeless people in Peterborough has been concerning, with reports of violence, demands for money and threats.

"They pose a very real and serious threat to the safety of vulnerable members of our society, which is why these orders have been applied for."

He also thanked people who had reported the breaches to the force, and asked the public continued to do so.

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