Rogue landlords in the Fens have been put under the spotlight in high level talks at Westminster to discuss how to crackdown on illegal gangmasters.

Steve Barclay joined Security Minister James Brokenshire MP for a meeting to discuss ongoing work to crackdown on abuse linked to immigration in Cambridgeshire.

During the meeting with the Home Office Minister and his senior officials lessons were discussed from the recent multiagency operation by the National Crime Agency, Fenland Council, Cambridgeshire Police and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

Following the success of last month’s Operation Endeavour which saw 300 officers launching dawn light raids on properties in Wisbech, March and King’s Lynn, Mr Barclay highlighted the importance of further enforcement operations to address the continuing issues faced by constituents.

Mr Barclay said: “I am keen to ensure this operation was not a high profile one off.

“The NCA are uniquely placed to deal with the cross-border issues linked to criminal activity not just in Fenland but also areas like Boston, Spalding, King’s Lynn, and Peterborough.

“The international scope of the NCA would also enable them to tackle much of the misleading information put out by illegal gang masters to migrant workers in Eastern Europe before their arrival in the Fens, persuading them to travel to our area on false promises.”

Mr Barclay also raised the current bid for specific funding to support Fenland District Council in tackling rogue landlords.

He said: “I am particularly keen that we benefit locally from this government funding given the significant impact overcrowded housing has on the surrounding community. “