Sara Thornton, a police officer with more than 30 years’
experience, will take up the role of the Independent
Anti-Slavery Commissioner to help spearhead the UK’s
response to this devastating crime.
Ms Thornton, who is currently Chair of the National Police
Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and formerly Chief Constable at
Thames Valley Police until 2015, was selected for the
important role by the Home Secretary following a competitive
recruitment process.
The role was created as part of the landmark Modern Slavery
Act 2015 and has a UK-wide remit to give independent advice
on modern slavery issues and how they should be tackled.
Ms Thornton will be expected to:
- encourage good practice to drive an increase in the
identification and protection of victims of modern slavery,
and to ensure the provision of enhanced support for all
victims and survivors in the UK
- drive effective prevention of slavery and human
trafficking offences
- promote an improved law enforcement and criminal
justice response to modern slavery across the UK
- engage with the private sector and promote policies to
ensure that supply chains are free of slavery
- foster constructive and targeted international
collaboration to combat modern slavery
Tackling Modern Slavery was made a key government priority
by Prime Minister when she was Home
Secretary.
The role is designated for three years with Sara Thornton
taking up the role from this May.
, Home Secretary, said:
The fact that modern slavery still exists in the shadows
of our communities is totally unacceptable. We are doing
all we can to banish it from society and give victims our
full support.
Sara has dedicated her career to protecting people in
need and I look forward to the valuable insight and
advice she will provide as the new Commissioner.
Ms Thornton said:
The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner was created to
spearhead the UK’s fight against human trafficking and
modern slavery and has a key role in preventing these
vile crimes and supporting victims.
I am looking forward to bringing my long experience as a
chief constable and in national policing to bear in this
important role.
Good progress has been made in recent years and I am
committed to build on that and do what I can to consign
this crime to history.
, who is leading an
Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act with MP and , said:
I have met Sara Thornton to discuss our findings on the
role of the Commissioner. I look forward to working with
her.
Ms Thornton has worked in policing since 1986, when she
joined the Metropolitan Police. During her 33 year career
within policing she served as Chief Constable of Thames
Valley Police from 2007 until 2015 and was appointed the
first Chair of the NPCC in 2015. She has also received the
Queen’s Police Medal and, in 2011, was awarded a CBE.
