Pledge will bring hope to modern slavery victims, says Mayor

Greater Manchester’s Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd

A new commitment to tackle human trafficking will bring hope to victims, Greater Manchester’s Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

Tony Lloyd was speaking as the Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales, Scotland's Lord Advocate and the Public Prosecutor for Northern Ireland, pledged to work together to target traffickers and to protect victims.

Mr Lloyd said: "This is a welcome step forward in the fight against those individuals who trade in human suffering. It will send a warning to traffickers that they will be brought to justice and bring hope to the thousands of people who are trapped in a life of slavery on our very doorsteps.

“Only by working together can we bring an end to this intolerable and shocking crime and that’s exactly what we are doing in Greater Manchester, so it’s great to see this commitment at a national level too.

“In Greater Manchester, the Modern Slavery Unit brings together police, councils, housing associations, Trading Standards, Immigration Enforcement and Border Force to seek out slavers and safeguard the vulnerable.

“Figures released today show trafficking prosecutions are on the rise. This is good news, however, it’s clear that the fight against slavery is far from over. In Greater Manchester we will continue to work together, with communities, to shine a light on this hidden crime and today’s announcement will help us in that ambition.”