A MAN has been arrested in Newport this morning as part of an investigation into slavery.

The 62-year-old from the Peterstone area is being held on suspicion of offences of "slavery, servitude and forced labour".

Detective Superintendent Paul Griffiths, who is leading the investigation, Operation Imperial said:

"For over two years now, the Operation Imperial team has been investigating very serious offences committed against some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. A number of people have been arrested and charged and one has been convicted as a result."

He said the team have set up a dedicated number - 01495 745443 - which will be answered by staff working on the investigation since it began. He added: "This will enable anyone who has any suspicions or concerns about people being exploited for their labour or kept against their will to call us with information so we can investigate. This number will be staffed during office hours and an answerphone facility is available as well.

He said if their call is urgent to use the 999 emergency service.

Det Supt Griffiths asked for anyone with information to get in touch and appealed again to the anonymous caller who called police on Wednesday May 27th to call again. He said the short message indicated the individual "had knowledge and information which could assist us".

He asked if anyone has information and would rather not pass this directly to the police to contact Crimestoppers, which is independent of the Police and guarantees complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

In October 2014, the Operation Imperial investigation was launched to look into the abuse of vulnerable adults and led to the conviction of David Daniel Doran Jr, 42, who forced Darrell Simester to work on a horse-breeding farm between 2000 and 2013.