A slavery order imposed on a Powys woman was the first of its kind in the area, the force have confirmed.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that the interim slavery and trafficking risk order imposed on Lisa Meredith from Llandrindod Wells was the first of its kind in the force area.
Meredith 42, of Trefonen Way, Llandrindod Wells was issued with the order after police raised concerns that she is befriending vulnerable children, aged 12-15, and grooming them to sell drugs for her.
READ MORE: Powys woman slapped with slavery order over drugs grooming fears
The application for a slavery and trafficking risk order was made on behalf of Dyfed Powys Police in magistrates court and was described as being much like a sexual risk order where “no criminal conviction is required, it is rather a public safety tool, and determines whether there is a need to protect the public.”
In a statement, child criminal exploitation officer PC Barrett, who led the case, said: “Meredith is suspected to exploit young persons by starting relationships with them and getting them involved in the drug scene.
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“There are numerous intelligence reports that identify young people visiting the address, and that Meredith travels with youths to other towns via public transport. Parents have also raised concerns that Meredith is using their children to convey drugs between addresses.
“Meredith has a large circle of associates that are all linked via drug use and supply, all of whom are known to police. This increases the risk to young people associating with her.”
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that an application for a full order will be made when this expires later this month.
PC Jamie Morris, the force’s civil orders officer, added: “This is the first slavery and trafficking risk order Dyfed-Powys Police has had served on an individual, and we hope it will lessen the risk currently posed to children in contact with Meredith.
“By putting an order in place we are severely restricting the contact Meredith is allowed to have with young people, with the threat of a prison sentence if the order is breached.”
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