DETECTIVES will speak to businessowners about the dangers of using trafficked workers.

Among the speakers at the Swindon event later this month will be Shayne Tyler, a corporate director in the food industry.

In 2000, a BBC Panorama expose revealed his former employer, Fenmarc, had been employing more than 200 illegal workers at its Cambridgeshire factory.

Since then, Mr Tyler has identified and tackled numerous examples of worker exploitation.

Det Sgt Becky Smart, who has organised the event, said: “The event primarily aims to raise awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking and the signs to look out for. Not all businesses, especially small businesses, are aware of the signs of a potential victim and they don’t know how they can report concerns, so we hope this event will help address that.

“Sadly, modern slavery and human trafficking is happening all over the country, and in Wiltshire and Swindon we have a number of large factories and agricultural businesses where it could potentially be an issue, so it is vital that we are warning and informing businesses, and doing all that we can to ensure we bridge the intelligence gap.

“All business people are welcome: managers and their employees. We will be specifically engaging with some of our local recruitment agencies to ensure they are informed of this event, as often recruitment agencies, unless well informed, can be unwittingly embroiled in these activities.”

The breakfast event is free and will take place at the Jury's Inn, Swindon, on March 26. Registration from 9.30am.

To register for tickets, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk