LGA Public needs greater awareness of modern slavery, say councils and fire and rescue authorities
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People need to be more aware of modern slavery to help tackle
criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable workers living in squalor and
on scandalous wages, as latest figures show council referrals of
potential victims have soared by 78 per cent, the Local Government
Association warns today. Councils and fire and rescue
services have taken part in major operations to rescue workers
being paid as little as £1 an hour and sleeping on cardboard.
Suspected brothels have been...Request free trial
People need to be more aware of modern slavery to help tackle criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable workers living in squalor and on scandalous wages, as latest figures show council referrals of potential victims have soared by 78 per cent, the Local Government Association warns today.
Councils and fire and rescue services have taken part in major operations to rescue workers being paid as little as £1 an hour and sleeping on cardboard. Suspected brothels have been shut down, arrests made and convictions secured after car wash operators, nail bars and fast food outlets were all visited.
The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 370 councils and all fire and rescue authorities in England and Wales, says many people may unwittingly come into contact with potential victims of modern slavery while going about their daily lives and need to report their suspicions to help better expose the “hidden crime”.
The LGA is urging the public to look out for tell-tale signs, such as large numbers of people being ferried to and from properties in vans or minibuses early in the morning and returning late at night.
Government figures estimate there are between 10,000 and 13,000 victims of slavery in the UK. Latest National Crime Agency figures also show that the number of referrals of potential victims made by councils to the National Referral Mechanism - the UK’s framework for referring and supporting victims - has soared from 172 in 2014 to 306 in 2015 – a rise of 78 per cent.
Councils have been working with partners, including the National Crime Agency and UK Immigration Services, to tackle slavery and human trafficking. Recent operations include:
Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Councils will not tolerate the exploitation of people in their communities and are committed to protecting the most vulnerable in society. “Modern day slavery is a rising threat to our communities, and because of its hidden nature, is a major concern. “Criminal gangs are making large sums of money on the back of others’ misery by forcing people – often by threatening or using physical violence - to work for little or no pay, or to pay off outstanding debts. By contrast those taking advantage of these people are often living luxury lifestyles. “Councils are determined to identify these ruthless profiteers and rescue their victims from lives of servitude – and communities can really play a big part to help. “Many people may think modern slavery is a problem which doesn’t affect them, but nowhere is immune because it can happen everywhere. This isn’t someone else’s problem and we all need to be alert to it, wherever we live. “We want to encourage everyone to report suspicious behaviour which may indicate exploitation is happening in their area, such as concerns over the minimum wage and working and living conditions. “People should look out for tell-tale signs, like large numbers of people staying in homes and people being taken to and from the address in vans or minibuses early in the morning and returning late at night. If you are using a car wash, look at whether people working there have clothes that protect them from the strong chemicals being used. “Tip-offs from communities can help councils work with partners to better tackle slavery and exploitation. A simple phone call could make a world of difference to people living wretched lives at the hands of heartless gangmasters.” Anyone who believes someone is in immediate danger due to modern slavery or exploitation should call police on 999, or 101 if there is no immediate danger. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700.
ENDS
CASE STUDIES
Essex Rochford District Council has supported a police operation carrying out intensive checks at fast food outlets – where children might congregate or work - to look out for young people who could be at risk of being exually exploited. In a bid to find and safeguard vulnerable children, two operations saw officers visit takeaways, speak to workers and owners and checked their backgrounds. The operations followed the jailing of a pimp who ran an escort agency from his flat, where girls as young as 15 were employed. His driver, who ferried prostitutes to addresses across Essex and arranged for them to receive payment and drugs, was also jailed. http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/14991097.Two_arrested_during____child_slavery____search/
Surrey The 33-year-old owner of a car wash in Walton, Surrey was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and money laundering in an operation supported by Elmbridge Borough Council. Two people were referred to the Immigration Enforcement, a further 14 workers were safeguarded, while £5,000 was also seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act following the police raid.
Wiltshire
Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council supported Wiltshire
Police during two days of action to tackle human trafficking and
modern slavery. Thirteen people – all working at nail bars and
car washes - were arrested for immigration offences after 20
local businesses were visited to check on the welfare of their
employees and assess whether there was any evidence of potential
exploitation. A 73-year-old man was also arrested for the offence
of controlling and managing a brothel.
West Midlands Three men were arrested on suspicion of working a group of Polish nationals like slaves and paying them just £1 an hour at recycling plants in the Black Country. The police operation, which involved Sandwell Council officers and West Midlands Fire Service, found one man suspected of working with a broken shoulder, while others showed signs of malnutrition and alcohol dependency. Some of the men were sleeping at one of the recycling units and bedding down on cardboard. https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/latest-news/news.aspx?Id=4976
Newcastle An operation involving Newcastle City Council, saw 13 people arrested in a crackdown on modern day slavery, human trafficking, and labour exploitation. Ten people, including both men and women, who are believed to be the victims of exploitation were also located during searches of eight properties and were safeguarded by police and partners. https://planetradio.co.uk/metro-2/local/news/13-arrested-crackdown-modern-slavery/
Greater Manchester Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and council officers supported an operation by Greater Manchester Police in which more than 200 addresses were visited during a crackdown. Police arrested 27 people, 18 victims of slavery or human trafficking were rescued and suspected brothels were shut down. The arrests were for crimes such as modern slavery, kidnapping, employing illegal workers and suspicion of illegal entry. GMFRS attended some of the visits where potential fire safety issues had been identified, such as people found sleeping on business premises.
GMFRS is aware that people who are exploiting others are likely to be those operating businesses breaking fire safety legislation. The Service regularly attends joint visits with partners including the police to premises including nail bars, car washes, takeaways, food processing plants, clothing factories and massage parlours where fire safety issues have been identified. Firefighters help to improve the safety for people in those premises and identify any victims. Greater Manchester’s response to Modern Slavery is called Challenger, which is a multi-agency team including GMFRS which shares intelligence on jobs attended. NOTES TO EDITORS:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246390/horr73.pdf
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