Beyond Today

How does slavery work now?


Listen Later

In July eight people were convicted for their part in Britain’s biggest ever modern slavery prosecution. The gang were part of an organised crime group from Poland which enslaved hundreds of people.

The victims were tricked into coming to the UK with the promise of work. When they arrived they were forced into menial labour, had no access to their wages and housed in rat-infested accommodation while the gang made an estimated £2m over five years.

We speak to BBC Panorama’s Duncan Staff who followed the story with West Midlands Police, and interviewed many of the victims including Mariusz Rykaczewski, a former soldier who was enslaved, beaten and starved by the gang. He was one of 66 witnesses who provided evidence against the slavers.

We also speak to Caroline Haughey QC, one of the country’s foremost experts on modern slavery and the lead prosecutor for the case. She explains how it took four years to bring the slavers to justice and why this case affects every one of us.

Producers: Alicia Burrell, Philly Beaumont and Duncan Barber

Mixed by Nicolas Raufast
Editor: John Shields

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Beyond TodayBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

90 ratings


More shows like Beyond Today

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,964 Listeners

Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,583 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,045 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,463 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,801 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,764 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,047 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

2,089 Listeners

London Real by Brian Rose

London Real

1,200 Listeners

Dan Snow's History Hit by History Hit

Dan Snow's History Hit

4,782 Listeners

Modern Wisdom by Chris Williamson

Modern Wisdom

3,940 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,187 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

720 Listeners

The High Performance Podcast by High Performance

The High Performance Podcast

576 Listeners

The Rest Is History by Goalhanger

The Rest Is History

15,285 Listeners

Cyber Hack by BBC World Service

Cyber Hack

1,633 Listeners

Honestly with Bari Weiss by The Free Press

Honestly with Bari Weiss

8,695 Listeners

ZOE Science & Nutrition by ZOE

ZOE Science & Nutrition

2,073 Listeners

Great Company with Jamie Laing by Jampot Productions

Great Company with Jamie Laing

316 Listeners

Where Shall We Meet by Omid Ashtari & Natascha McElhone

Where Shall We Meet

13 Listeners