Oxford modern slavery raids suspects charged Published duration 7 June 2018

image caption Police say suspected victims are being supported

Four men have been charged with modern slavery and forced labour offences after police carried out raids in Oxford.

The 59, 34, 33 and 26-year-olds, all from Oxford, were remanded in custody after appearing at Oxford Magistrates' Court.

They were detained during three raids that took place near Abingdon Road on Wednesday.

Suspected victims are being supported, Thames Valley Police said.

The arrests took place in a joint operation involving the force, the National Crime Agency, Southeast Regional Organised Crime Unit and Oxfordshire County Council.

Their trial is due to begin at Oxford Crown Court on 6 July.

The charges, in full, are:

Michael Joyce, 59: One count of requiring two people to perform compulsory labour, one count of arranging or facilitating travel of two people with a view to exploitation and one count of carrying on a regulated activity when not an authorised/exempt person.

John Joyce, 34: One count of requiring two people to perform forced or compulsory labour and one count of carrying on a regulated activity when not an authorised/exempt person.

Michael Joyce, 26: One count of requiring two people to perform forced or compulsory labour, one count of arranging or facilitating travel of two people with a view to exploitation and one count of carrying on a regulated activity when not an authorised/exempt person.

David Boiling, 33: One count of requiring two people to perform forced or compulsory labour, one count of arranging or facilitating travel of two people with a view to exploitation and one count of carrying on a regulated activity when not an authorised/exempt person.