WORKERS fled as police launched a crackdown on human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable people in a major operation in the Tendring district.

Police teamed up with the Immigration Service and Trading Services to stage a major operation – codenamed Acapulco – across the district.

They targeted people in Clacton, Frinton, Walton, Kirby and Harwich.

Stop-checks using hi-tech automatic number plate recognition cameras were carried out in Thorpe Road, Kirby, on Saturday.

District police commander Russ Cole said: “Sixteen officers carried out stop-checks during the day.

“There was a very short car chase at Kirby where someone dumped a vehicle. Two suspects made off and were located near the scene a short time later.”

Arrests for drug-driving were also made.

Police are cracking down on crimes such as human trafficking, modern slavery and gangs preying on the vulnerable.

Mr Cole said officers were trying to build links with communities who were most at risk.

But staff at one shop closed the store and fled after being tipped off that the police were coming.

“We want to make sure the most vulnerable members of the community aren’t subject to this,” said Mr Cole.

“We want to encourage people to be our eyes and ears and contact us if they have concerns about people involved in forced labour for poor wages or being made to live in sub-standard accommodation such as one room or a caravan.

“That could be just the tip of the iceberg where people are suffering at the hands of organised gangs or slave masters, particularly from eastern Europe.”

He added: “It is not about dragging people of in handcuffs – it’s about understanding where this is going on. These people could be victims of crime because they are being exploited.

“It is about bringing the organised criminals behind this to justice.”

Acapulco was part of the countywide Operation Trivium, which identified concerns for foreign nationals working in the district.

Mr Cole added: “The community we live in is becoming more and more diverse and we know that some people are oppressed and intimidated into working for virtually nothing.

“It is most alarming that we hear stories nationally of vulnerable individuals being exchanged for money and traded as commodities between criminal gangs.”

“This cannot – and will not – be allowed to happen. This week’s work has gone a long way to making us better placed to prevent such instances occurring in Tendring.”