Police in London have arrested two people after they discovered three “traumatised” women believed to have been imprisoned in a South London home for over 30 years.
According to RTÉ, one of the women discovered at the South London home was a 57-year-old Irish woman.
The other two women found by police in the house were a 69-year-old Malaysian woman and a 30-year-old British woman.
Police began an operation to rescue the women after Freedom Charity informed them of a call from a woman claiming she had been held captive for 30 years.
Scotland Yard said after further enquiries and a sensitive investigation involving the charity, they were able to locate the house and rescue the women inside.
Scotland Yard also confirmed that they have arrested two people in their 60’s in relation to the case.
RTÉ have reported that the three women were removed from the scene and taken to a place of safety.
Detective Inspector Kevin Hyland, from the Met’s human trafficking unit, said: “We applaud the actions of Freedom Charity and are working in partnership to support these victims who appear to have been held for over 30 years.
“We have launched an extensive investigation to establish the facts surrounding these very serious allegations.”
Hyland also added that a television documentary prompted one of the women to seek help: “A television documentary on forced marriages relating to the work of Freedom Charity was the catalyst that prompted one of the victims to call for help and led to their rescue.”
