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Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Sea shanty band caught in slavery probe as six members are arrested while group's leader 'goes on the run' after minibus crash
A West Country sea shanty band who have played Glastonbury is today at the centre of a modern slavery investigation after their minibus crashed on the edge of Dartmoor. Six members of The Old Time Sailors have been arrested by Devon and Cornwall Police and there are reports that the band's leader is on the run and being sought by detectives. Officers were called to Dolvin Road in Tavistock at 7.30am on Monday, May 19 and revealed the following day that they believed some people in the van may have been possible victims of exploitation. The band, which has around 20 members, were apparently travelling back from a gig in Liverpool the night before when their bus came off the road into some trees. No injuries were reported. There was then a raid on a caravan park linked to the band in nearby Gulworthy where eight potential victims of modern slavery were found. These are now being 'safeguarded', police have said, adding that six men were arrested on suspicion of modern-day slavery offences and later bailed. The Old Time Sailors, whose wild shanties include Galway Girl and The Wild Rover, are accused of barely paying some of its musicians, despite playing huge venues around the UK. Fans are encouraged to dress like pirates and dance like drunken sailors. But the band have hit back, insisting they are a 'family' and 'share' all their costs, calling the accusations false and 'ruinous'. Devon and Cornwall Police, Sergeant Tom Ottley said: 'As part of our response to the initial incident, we identified several of the occupants of the van as being potential victims of exploitation offences. They are receiving specialist support and being safeguarded at this time. 'Shortly after, officers carried out a search at an address in the Gulworthy area which led to the identification of further potential victims. We worked alongside the local authority and partner agencies yesterday in safeguarding these individuals and their support was very much appreciated. 'As part of this investigation, we have arrested six males on suspicion of modern-day slavery offences. We appreciate the activity may have caused some confusion and concern amongst the local community.' The six arrested were later bailed. The Sun claims that musicians working for the band were being kept in a farmhouse in east Devon and earning little or no wages. Yesterday police said: 'The six individuals who were arrested have all been bailed. The identified victims are being supported by specially trained officers and are receiving multi-agency support. Enquiries are ongoing.' The band have issued a statement on Facebook branding it 'scandalous accusations, speculation and fabrications about Old Time Sailors' - but did not mention the police investigation. They are on the bill at Camp Bestival festival and have gigs planned in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol this summer - but concerts in Newquay this week have been cancelled. 'We are aware of a number of articles currently online and categorically state that none of what is being said is the actual truth. It is what might sadly get acknowledged these days as an online hate campaign', they said. 'At no point has any of the information been even slightly fact checked. Fake websites and anonymous social media posts are supposedly telling the truth …but it's an elaborate web of hate. It is dangerous and highly illegal. 'The true facts are Old Time Sailors are a collective of musicians who tour as a family. Yes it's true, we live and travel collectively. We share our costs and overheads. We just have a love of music and performing. The Old Time Sailors have hit back on Facebook, insisting they are a 'family' and 'share' all their costs, calling the accusations false and 'ruinous'. 'Why is this happening? We have been asking the same question. The sad fact is a certain crew member parted ways with the band, and following this we received a very threatening email indicating what could be made to happen if we did not do certain things. But we didn't respond, and then suddenly it happened. Accusations, lies, horror stories and ruinous allegations. 'We still choose to focus on performing - living the free life we chose, and making connections with local communities. We teach and learn new music as we go along and have fun while we travel around. It is what we are all about. 'We all know it's never right to make assumptions about anyone's situation, or glean so called 'facts' from anonymous social media posts. 'We will instead focus on what we have put all our efforts into; the music and performing. We love our fans so thank you for all the support and we hope to see you at a show soon.'
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Popular sea shanty band who play Glastonbury are at centre of SLAVERY probe after cops raid caravan park
It is understood that the group's leader has fled and is being sought by cops SLAVE PROBE Popular sea shanty band who play Glastonbury are at centre of SLAVERY probe after cops raid caravan park Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SEA-SHANTY band is at the centre of a major modern slavery probe which was uncovered after their minibus was involved in a crash. Six members of The Old Time Sailors, a 20-piece folk music group which has played at Glastonbury, were nicked after their van hit trees near their base in Devon. 2 The Old Time Sailors performing at a fair in 2022. There is no suggestion that anyone pictured is directly involved in the investigation Credit: Alamy It follows claims that musicians, including fiddlers, banjo strummers and accordion squeezers, were being kept in a caravan park near Tiverton for little or no wages. It is understood that the group's leader may have fled and is being sought by cops. The band who are due to play Camp Bestival festival as well as a number of O2 arenas in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol this summer, have been forced to cancel their upcoming gigs in Cornwall. One venue WAX in Watergate Bay said: 'So, a little curveball for tonight – due to some unforeseen circumstances, we've had to switch up our planned music.' Pictures showed the van crashed into trees following the accident involving a lorry around 7.30am on Monday. It is understood they were returning from a 10pm gig in Liverpool the night before and had driven through the night before the prang. No one was hurt but cops at the scene identified several people in the van as possible victims of exploitation. Officers then searched the band's caravan park in the hamlet of Gulworthy near Tiverton and identified more potential victims, numbering eight in total who are now being 'safeguarded'. Devon and Cornwall Police sergeant Thomas Ottley said: 'As part of our response to the initial incident, we identified several of the occupants of the van as being potential victims of exploitation offences. 'They are receiving specialist support and being safeguarded at this time. Fans slam Glastonbury as 'worst one ever' as full lineup announced 'Shortly after, officers carried out a search at an address in the Gulworthy area which led to the identification of further potential victims. 'We worked alongside the local authority and partner agencies yesterday in safeguarding these individuals and their support was very much appreciated. 'As part of this investigation, we have arrested six males on suspicion of modern-day slavery offences. 'They are currently in police custody assisting us with our enquiries.' The six arrested were later bailed as enquiries continue. In an update yesterday (Thurs), cops said: 'The six individuals who were arrested have all been bailed. 'The identified victims are being supported by specially trained officers and are receiving multi-agency support. Enquiries are ongoing.' The band, which plays classic shanties including Galway Girl and The Wild Rover, have been accused of not paying its musicians. An official statement from the band described the modern slavery claims as 'scandalous accusations, speculation and fabrications' and part of 'an online hate campaign'. It added: 'The sad fact is a certain crew member parted ways with the band, and following this we received a very threatening email. 'We didn't respond, and then suddenly it happened. Accusations, lies, horror stories and ruinous allegations. 'We will instead focus on what we have put all our efforts into; the music and performing. We love our fans so thank you for all the support and we hope to see you at a show soon.'
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Popular sea shanty band who play Glastonbury are at centre of SLAVERY probe after cops raid caravan park
A SEA-SHANTY band is at the centre of a major modern slavery probe which was uncovered after their minibus was involved in a crash. Six members of The Old Time Sailors, a 20-piece folk music group which has played at Glastonbury, were nicked after their van hit trees near their base in Devon. Advertisement 2 The Old Time Sailors performing at a fair in 2022. There is no suggestion that anyone pictured is directly involved in the investigation Credit: Alamy It follows claims that musicians, including fiddlers, banjo strummers and accordion squeezers, were being kept in a caravan park near Tiverton for little or no wages. It is understood that the group's leader may have fled and is being sought by cops. The band who are due to play Camp Bestival festival as well as a number of O2 arenas in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol this summer, have been forced to cancel their upcoming gigs in Cornwall. One venue WAX in Watergate Bay said: 'So, a little curveball for tonight – due to some unforeseen circumstances, we've had to switch up our planned music.' Advertisement Read More on UK Crime Pictures showed the van crashed into trees following the accident involving a lorry around 7.30am on Monday. It is understood they were returning from a 10pm gig in Liverpool the night before and had driven through the night before the prang. No one was hurt but cops at the scene identified several people in the van as possible victims of exploitation. Officers then searched the band's caravan park in the hamlet of Gulworthy near Tiverton and identified more potential victims, numbering eight in total who are now being 'safeguarded'. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Devon and Cornwall Police sergeant Thomas Ottley said: 'As part of our response to the initial incident, we identified several of the occupants of the van as being potential victims of exploitation offences. 'They are receiving specialist support and being safeguarded at this time. Fans slam Glastonbury as 'worst one ever' as full lineup announced 'Shortly after, officers carried out a search at an address in the Gulworthy area which led to the identification of further potential victims. 'We worked alongside the local authority and partner agencies yesterday in safeguarding these individuals and their support was very much appreciated. Advertisement 'As part of this investigation, we have arrested six males on suspicion of modern-day slavery offences. 'They are currently in police custody assisting us with our enquiries.' The six arrested were later bailed as enquiries continue. In an update yesterday (Thurs), cops said: 'The six individuals who were arrested have all been bailed. Advertisement 'The identified victims are being supported by specially trained officers and are receiving multi-agency support. Enquiries are ongoing.' The band, which plays classic shanties including Galway Girl and The Wild Rover, have been accused of not paying its musicians. An official statement from the band described the modern slavery claims as 'scandalous accusations, speculation and fabrications' and part of 'an online hate campaign'. It added: 'The sad fact is a certain crew member parted ways with the band, and following this we received a very threatening email. Advertisement 'We didn't respond, and then suddenly it happened. Accusations, lies, horror stories and ruinous allegations. 'We will instead focus on what we have put all our efforts into; the music and performing. We love our fans so thank you for all the support and we hope to see you at a show soon.' 2 Several members of the band are now on bail Credit: Getty
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
Popular sea shanty band who play Glastonbury are at centre of SLAVERY probe after cops raid caravan park
A SEA-SHANTY band is at the centre of a major modern slavery probe which was uncovered after their minibus was involved in a crash. Six members of The Old Time Sailors, a 20-piece folk music group which has played at Glastonbury, were nicked after their van hit trees near their base in Devon. 2 It follows claims that musicians, including fiddlers, banjo strummers and accordion squeezers, were being kept in a caravan park near Tiverton for little or no wages. It is understood that the group's leader may have fled and is being sought by cops. The band who are due to play Camp Bestival festival as well as a number of O2 arenas in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol this summer, have been forced to cancel their upcoming gigs in Cornwall. One venue WAX in Watergate Bay said: 'So, a little curveball for tonight – due to some unforeseen circumstances, we've had to switch up our planned music.' Pictures showed the van crashed into trees following the accident involving a lorry around 7.30am on Monday. It is understood they were returning from a 10pm gig in Liverpool the night before and had driven through the night before the prang. No one was hurt but cops at the scene identified several people in the van as possible victims of exploitation. Officers then searched the band's caravan park in the hamlet of Gulworthy near Tiverton and identified more potential victims, numbering eight in total who are now being 'safeguarded'. Devon and Cornwall Police sergeant Thomas Ottley said: 'As part of our response to the initial incident, we identified several of the occupants of the van as being potential victims of exploitation offences. 'They are receiving specialist support and being safeguarded at this time. Fans slam Glastonbury as 'worst one ever' as full lineup announced 'Shortly after, officers carried out a search at an address in the Gulworthy area which led to the identification of further potential victims. 'We worked alongside the local authority and partner agencies yesterday in safeguarding these individuals and their support was very much appreciated. 'As part of this investigation, we have arrested six males on suspicion of modern-day slavery offences. 'They are currently in police custody assisting us with our enquiries.' The six arrested were later bailed as enquiries continue. In an update yesterday (Thurs), cops said: 'The six individuals who were arrested have all been bailed. 'The identified victims are being supported by specially trained officers and are receiving multi-agency support. Enquiries are ongoing.' The band, which plays classic shanties including Galway Girl and The Wild Rover, have been accused of not paying its musicians. An official statement from the band described the modern slavery claims as 'scandalous accusations, speculation and fabrications' and part of 'an online hate campaign'. It added: 'The sad fact is a certain crew member parted ways with the band, and following this we received a very threatening email. 'We didn't respond, and then suddenly it happened. Accusations, lies, horror stories and ruinous allegations. 'We will instead focus on what we have put all our efforts into; the music and performing. We love our fans so thank you for all the support and we hope to see you at a show soon.' 2
