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Home Secretary Theresa May has reiterated her determination to "tackle the scourge of modern-day slavery" as a police investigation continues into a farm in South Wales.

A Home Office spokesman said: “This is a shocking case and an appalling reminder of the extent to which slavery has reappeared in our country.

“The Home Secretary has made clear her determination to tackle the scourge of modern slavery and the organised criminal gangs behind it.

“We are already taking action on a number of fronts. We are working with front-line professionals to help them better identify and support potential victims.

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“The new National Crime Agency will, from next month, lead an enhanced and co-ordinated response to targeting trafficking gangs, and we will be overhauling and updating legislation by bringing forward a draft Modern Slavery Bill this session.”

Her statement came as officers investigating alleged slavery and servitude at the farm at Peterstone, near Marshfield, today appealed for the writer of an anonymous letter to come forward.

The senior investigating officer in the case made a personal appeal to the author of an anonymous letter which was sent to a neighbouring force some months ago to get in contact.

Detective Superintendent Paul Griffiths said: "The letter contains information which may be vital to this investigation and we need that person to contact us using the dedicated investigation number 01633 647174."

Officers today resumed their search at the Peterstone farm as part of an ongoing inquiry into alleged slavery and servitude offences.

Specialist officers, equipment and a forensic archaeologist have also resumed the search for the body of an "unknown person" which may have been buried at the site.

Gwent Police yesterday executed three early-morning warrants at a residential flat in Cardiff, a residential house in Penhow, Monmouthshire and at the Cariad Farm, Peterstone, near Marshfield, in an operation involving more than 100 officers.

Four people were later arrested – a 66-year-old man and a 42-year-old man, both from the Marshfield area; a 36-year-old man from the Cardiff area; and a 42-year-old woman from Penhow - on suspicion of slavery and servitude offences.

They remain in custody today, assisting officers with their inquiries following the granting of a superintendent's extension.

Det Supt Griffiths said: "As a result of the publicity generated by the police activity I'm grateful to the people who have contacted us with information which is assisting our inquiry.

"Importantly we've received a number of calls from individuals who may also be potential victims or important witnesses.

"I'm urging those individuals to contact the investigation team again by ringing our dedicated number 01633 647174 as we believe they may have more information which could be of assistance.

“Any information can be provided in complete confidence and officers and staff can provide any appropriate support. I would also urge anyone else who may have any other information relating to this investigation, no matter how unimportant it may seem, to pick up the phone and contact us.

“Alternatively if anyone has information and would rather not pass this directly to the police then I would urge them to contact Crimestoppers, which is independent of the Police and guarantees complete anonymity, on 0800 555 111. They don’t need to give their name and the police will never know who they are. Any information given would be passed to the team in complete confidence.”

Police had revealed a man of Eastern European origin, whose age was unknown, had been recovered from the Peterstone site and taken to an undisclosed medical reception area.

His physical and mental condition was being assessed by specialist staff, and he today remains at an undisclosed medical reception centre.

It is believed that he is a Polish national and he is currently being supported by specialist officers and British Red Cross personnel.

A digger yesterday explored a manure heap as officers conducted ground searches in an adjacent field.

They said the action came after an investigation prompted by the discovery of a man in Marshfield, who had been missing for 13 years, following a family appeal in March this year.

The RPSCA as well as a veterinary surgeon are also at the scene today to help ensure horses' wellbeing.

Det Supt Griffiths, who is leading the investigation known as Operation Imperial, said the action was "the latest phase of a long-running investigation into alleged offences of slavery and servitude".

He said: “The investigation began when a 43-year-old man was found to be living at the Marshfield site in very poor conditions having been reported missing by his family for 13 years.

“Since then a specialist team of detectives has been investigating and gathering intelligence to ascertain whether this part of a larger criminal conspiracy.

“In addition to the suspected offences in relation to slavery and servitude, we are also acting on intelligence which suggests that the body of an unknown person may be buried at the Marshfield site.

“As such specially trained officers, equipment and a forensic archaeologist have been deployed to investigate this.”

Neighbours in Peterstone have spoken of their shock at the police probe – which saw police set up a cordon outside the entrance to the farm and a number of specialist teams including a Scientific Investigation Unit descend on the site en masse.

One neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “There was loads of police first thing this morning.”

Of those living at the property next door, she added: “They have been there for years.”

Another neighbour, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said the heavy police presence and nature of the action was “very scary”,

Det Supt Griffiths added: “Because of the scale of the investigation we are fully aware the operation has caused disruption to other residents, especially in the Marshfield area, and we thank them for their continued cooperation and understanding.

"Local officers are in the area to provide reassurance and if anyone has any concerns I would urge them to speak to these officers”

Gwent Police said a dedicated team of detectives had been responsible for the investigation which had centred around evidence and intelligence people were being kept in poor conditions at Marshfield and being forced to work for no pay.

The force said they had been working in partnership with other forces, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), UK Human Trafficking Centre, RSPCA and the Red Cross.

Members of the dog section, air support unit and armed response unit were among those to enter premises in relation to offences regarding Slavery and Servitude from the Criminal Law Act 1977 and the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

Hunt for ‘timid’ missing man is what sparked swoop

Gwent police said today's operation began as a result of missing man Darrell Simester being found following an appeal.

After 13 years missing, Darrell, 43, was found in a tiny, mud-plastered two-berth caravan in Marshfield in March.

His parents Jean and Tony, who live near Kidderminster in Worcestershire, had made a desperate plea for his return after learning he might be living in Cardiff.

Described as “timid” and “vulnerable”, Darrell was 30 when he went missing after running off into the night following an argument with friends while on holiday in Porthcawl.

He was found by police a few days later sleeping rough under a hedge, but told them he was okay.

A few days later, Jean and Tony had a call from two men who said Darrell was “working on the roads” with them.

In eight heart-rending years that followed, they heard from Darrell infrequently – as little as twice a year – and four years ago, on Christmas Eve 2008, the calls then stopped for good.

Jean, Tony and Darrell’s siblings Brendan, 42, Duncan, 39, and Zoe, 37, set up Facebook groups and contacted missing persons charities but were told police couldn’t help them because Darrell had been in touch and could therefore not be classed as a missing person.

Working with the help of a handful of Facebook followers, they finally traced the mobile number he first used to contact them to a Cardiff firm, and at the beginning of March an anonymous tip-off led them to a stable yard in Marshfield.

They found Darrell living in a tiny, mud-plastered caravan in a corner of a yard.

A week later, police confirmed they were investigating the conditions in which he was “living and working” during his 13 years away from home.