Around 200 migrant workers have been rescued by anti-slavery police from a flower-picking farm.

Police raided Bosahan Farm in the village of Manaccan, near Helston in Cornwall at 6am this morning and arrested two local men on suspicion of modern slavery offences and a third man on suspicion of gang master license offences.

They are currently being held in police custody.

Around 200 Lithuanian, Romanian and Bulgarian men and women are now being supported by the Salvation Army.

Police launched a raid on Bosahan Farm in the village of Manaccan, near Helston in Cornwall

Interpreters are helping police with 200 Eastern European workers a mix of men and women following the 6am raid. Vans of flower pickers still moving in and out of site

Members of The Salvation Army joined police to offer support to any potential victims of modern slavery at the scene. Translators are also helping at the scene.

The workers are mostly male migrants thought to be from Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria, according to police.

DI Gail Windsor, 46, said: 'We've visited approximately 200 migrant workers this morning, a mixture of Romanian and Lithuanian, and out of that 14 asked for assistance in leaving the site.

'They have been taken to a reception centre where there is Salvation Army, Police, NHS, Cornwall County Council and the Red Cross.

'There people will be interviewed and assessed for their needs and whether any criminal offences have taken place.

'Our understanding is that these are seasonal workers and that the season is between January and Easter.

'We believe they've been recruited in there native countries. 'Over the last couple of weeks we had information that made us concerned about the people working on this site and the conditions they were living and working in.

'On the warrant we have taken the HMRC with us, there investigating if there are any offences.'

Police were assisted by the Gang Masters Labour Abuse Authority as they raided the farm on the Lizard in Cornwall (pictured)

Cornwall Council said it is currently providing welfare and support services for 14 people who have elected to seek help through a National Referral Mechanism.

A spokesman said 14 people believed to be aged between 20 and 40, made up of 12 men and two women, were taken to a safe location by mini bus this afternoon.

They are Lithuanian and Romanian speakers.

The spokesman said: 'The people being supported are not in trouble and they are not being detained. They are free to leave at any time but will be encouraged to take up the offers of help that are available.

'All agencies are working together to help the alleged victims over the next 72 hours, after which an assessment will be carried out to decide next steps.'

Authorities will now work to find temporary safe accommodation, provide any medical treatment and link people with other work opportunities.

It is understood that other farms have come forward to offer alternative employment should people want it.

According to police, the workers are male migrants thought to be from Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Police in Cornwall, with support from the Gang Masters Labour Abuse Authority, HMRC, Cornwall Council and The Salvation Army, are currently undertaking a major operation in Cornwall to tackle a case of suspected modern slavery.

'Specialist officers executed a warrant at Bosahan Farm on the suspicion that modern slavery offences were taking place against migrant workers.

'Three local man have been arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences and are now in police custody awaiting questioning.

'The safeguarding of the welfare of approximately 200 workers at these farms are now being managed by Cornwall Council with support from The Salvation Army at a specially created reception centre.'

Police worked with the Gang Masters Labour Abuse Authority, HMRC, Cornwall Council and The Salvation Army

Kathryn Taylor, from the charity's anti-trafficking and modern slavery team, said: 'The Salvation Army is ready to receive and support anyone who is identified as a potential victim of modern slavery from the raid in Cornwall early this morning.

'We will be available if needed to provide support at a reception centre and offer immediate assistance to any potential victims.'

The council spokesman added: 'Modern slavery is a crime. It is work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the person has not offered him or herself voluntarily.

'Victims are forced to work against their will, often working very long hours for little or no pay in dire conditions under verbal or physical threats of violence to them or their families. It can happen in many sectors of our economy, including farm work.'

A representative of Bosaran and Halvose farm, operating which operates under the name R H Scrimshaw and Sons, declined to comment on the raid today.

Of the 14 people who asked for assistance and were taken from the site, 12 were male and two were female, and all were aged between 12 and 40.

Sue James, 59, of Cornwall Council, said: '14 people, 12 men and two women, elected to take advantage of the national referral mechanism where people in this situation find safe places to live and be.

'We as a council have responsibility because they do not pick up immediately so we are working with local partners to keep them safe temporarily.

'This is about their safety and well-being, if they choose to leave then they are free to do so.

'I haven’t seen them but what we know generally about modern slavery it’s usually people who are coerced into work.

'They might be doing very long hours for little or no pay.

'If this does prove to be a case of modern slavery it is very shocking that this has happened in a rural village in Cornwall.

'They grew plants and flowers, that’s what I’ve been told, at this time of year I should suspect daffodils.'