Warwickshire Police Support National Fortnight of Action Raising Awareness of Modern Slavery
Modern slavery takes a number of forms including holding someone in a position of slavery, servitude, or forced or compulsory labour, or facilitating their travel with the intention of exploiting them.
One 35-year-old man from Birmingham was spoken to about modern slavery offences under caution following an operation at a business in Nuneaton on Friday 21 September.
Training was given to officers on how to spot the signs of modern slavery and officers from the local safer neighbourhood team visited businesses to talk to them about modern slavery.
Detective Sergeant Dave Andrews said: “Warwickshire Police is committed to tackling all types of modern slavery.
“While many people think slavery is a thing of the past, sadly it is still prevalent in the UK and we’re asking people to be on the look out for signs of exploitation. Everyone has a right to fair, safe and legal working conditions.
“The fortnight of action gave us the opportunity to carry out enforcement activity and raise awareness amongst local people and businesses about the issue of modern slavery.
“It is important people are on the look out for the signs of modern slavery and report any suspicions to us.”
Spotting the signs of modern slavery:
Here are some of the common signs that may indicate that someone could be a victim of modern slavery.
Appearance: Victims may show signs of physical or psychological abuse, look malnourished or unkempt, or appear withdrawn
Isolation: Victims may rarely be allowed to travel on their own, seem under the control, influence of others, rarely interact or appear unfamiliar with their neighbourhood or where they work
Poor living conditions: Victims may be living in dirty, cramped or overcrowded accommodation, and / or living and working at the same address
Few or no personal effects: Victims may have no identification documents, have few personal possessions and always wear the same clothes day in day out. What clothes they do wear may not be suitable for their work
Restricted freedom of movement: Victims may have no identification documents, have few personal possessions and always wear the same clothes day in day out. What clothes they do wear may not be suitable for their work
Unusual travel times: They may be dropped off / collected for work on a regular basis either very early or late at night
Reluctant to seek help: Victims may avoid eye contact, appear frightened or hesitant to talk to strangers and fear law enforcers for many reasons, such as not knowing who to trust or where to get help, fear of deportation, fear of violence to them or their family.
Protect is a campaign being run by West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police alongside a range of partner agencies to tackle serious and organised crime (SOC).
The broad-ranging operation covers four key areas of activity:
Pursue – prosecuting and disrupting those involved in SOC
Prevent – stopping individuals from becoming involved in SOC
Protect – increased levels of protection against SOC
Prepare – reducing the impact of SOC where it occurs
For more information, visit: https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/article/51114/Protect—new-police-campaign-to-tackle-Serious-and-Organised-Crime