Police aim to end modern slavery

Police say they want to put an end to the crime which saw 11 cases reported in the county last year.

MODERN slavery is being targeted in a new campaign by South Yorkshire Police.

The campaign coincides with the new Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will see a series of posters highlight the ways in which slavery exists – domestic servitude, forced labour, sexual exploitation and criminal activity.

In the UK in 2013, 1,746 cases were reported to the National Crime Agency and in 2014 this increased by 34 per cent to 2,340.

Key signs of slavery include victims being forced to live in cramped or overcrowded conditions, workers collected very early and returned late at night on a regular basis, people wearing inappropriate clothing for the work they are performing and lacking in safety equipment, injuries and malnourishment, and people being kept isolated from the community or under the control of others.

Detective Chief Inspector Bob Chapman, who leads for the force on the prevention of modern slavery, said: “Our campaign aims to highlight the various ways modern slavery occurs and ask the public to take the time to get to know the common signs that it is occurring. It happens across the country yet often it goes unnoticed.

“We’re doing all that we can to put an end to modern slavery in South Yorkshire but we need people to come forward and give us information to help us to tackle it.”

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings said: “South Yorkshire has also seen a number of cases of modern slavery, and I fully support this awareness campaign to educate everyone on the signs to look out for.

“I would encourage anyone with even the slightest of suspicions regarding family members, neighbours or any individuals at risk to come forward and help the police catch these perpetrators.

“Those who feel they can commit crimes on vulnerable people in our communities must be stopped and punished.”

Anyone with suspicions is urged to contact South Yorkshire Police on 101 or the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700.

To find out more about the campaign, visit www.southyorks.police.uk/modernslavery.