​Gangs force men to work for pittance and sleep in sub-standard accommodation

Organised crime gangs from eastern Europe have been using human slaves to collect charity bags.

Raids across Newcastle and Gateshead by Northumbria Police revealed that Lithuanian crime gangs were using victims to collect and distribute the bags of clothes.

Some 12 men were taken to a victim reception centre.

A factory had been set up in North Shields where the clothes would be processed and sold overseas, with a cut of the proceeds expected to go back to the charities.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said the suspects ran a legitimate business used as a front.

They brought in thousands of extra bags from abroad which were distributed to the workers to give out to the public.

The charities involved were unaware that many of the employees were potential slavery victims, police said.

Supt Steve Barron added: "Our priority is to safeguard vulnerable people in our region and victims of modern-day slavery, trafficking and associated offences are among some of the most vulnerable we will come across.

"Often individuals don't realise that they are victims and the small wage they earn in this country often exceeds anything they would earn in their home country.

"They are brought into the country on the promise of work, housed in sub-standard accommodation and their benefits and finances are all controlled by their employer.

"We do not believe that any of the charities involved would know that those collecting their bags were potentially victims of modern day slavery and human trafficking."