Bid to protect ‘vulnerable workers’ in Lurgan, Portadown and Brownlow after Gangmasters Licensing Authority visits

Police and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority visited a number of homes in the Lurgan, Portadown and Brownlow area this week in a bid to protect ‘vulnerable workers’.

By Carmel Robinson

Published 5th Nov 2015, 11:51 BST

They were with the Housing Multi-Occupancy Licensing Body from the NIHE and HM Revenue and Customs.

The multi-agency group called at a number of dwellings on Tuesday, 3 November, 2015.

“The operation was designed to gather evidence to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation and to keep them safe,” said a PSNI spokesperson.

“A number of offences were detected in relation to unregistered and overcrowded dwellings and the national minimum wage,” said the PSNI.

Enquiries are ongoing into these matters.

“NIHE have signposted occupants of overcrowded dwellings in respect of acquiring suitable accommodation via their services and the landlord has been advised to address the matter or face further prosecution.”