Police and partners continue crackdown on modern slavery and human trafficking

Greater Manchester Police and its partners are marking one year since the establishment of a dedicated modern slavery unit with a week-long crackdown on incidents of human trafficking and slavery.

The second week of action in six months will see police, councils and agencies such as Immigration, Environmental Health, NHS, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and DWP working together to safeguard vulnerable people, educate the public and target offenders.

The Challenger Modern Slavery Unit was set up in March 2015 as a specialist approach to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking. In the year that has followed, 89 victims of slavery have been located and safeguarded, almost a 900% rise since 2012. Seventy arrests have been made and convictions are now being sought under the new Modern Slavery Act which came into force last year.

Officers and support staff will be increasing patrols in key areas, visiting business and residential premises of interest and attending local community events to share information on the warning signs of modern slavery and advice on what to do if you or someone you know is a victim.

Operational activity will see a number of warrants executed across the region, and victims will be located and taken to a reception centre where they will be safe from further harm. The reception centre will be staffed by the British Red Cross, and will work with any victims located to rehabilitate and provide care in the crucial first days after their rescue.

GMP Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson said: “We’ve made huge progress in the detection of modern slavery and trafficking in the last 12 months. Alongside our partner agencies, we have built an incredible response network but there’s always more that can be done.

“Slavery is happening to men, women and children across Greater Manchester, right under our noses. They are offered a better life, a good job and financial security for their families. The reality is often one of violence, intimidation and squalor.

“Modern slavery is much more subtle than that consigned to our history books. There are no physical chains; rather victims are bound to perpetrators by coercion and control, with no money and passport to leave.

“Slavery is everywhere. Our local communities often hold the key to this information and I am calling on them to be our eyes and ears and let us know when they see something suspicious. With their help, we can give these people their lives back.”

Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “We’re making it incredibly difficult for slavers and people traffickers to do their business in our cities and towns. I want them to hear the message loud and clear that the people of Greater Manchester won’t turn a blind eye to their abhorrent treatment of human beings as commodities.

“Together with GMP and Operation Challenger, I have funded Stop The Traffik to lead a network of voluntary organisations and charities who can support victims of this heinous crime, providing bedding, clothing, and care packages to vulnerable people who have nothing to call their own.

“Whether in private homes or illicit businesses – we will rout out slavery in all its forms, bringing offenders to justice, and offering protection and support to those people abused and stripped of their human rights and freedoms.”

Amongst the support agencies working within the Challenger Modern Slavery Unit, Stop the Traffik is an organisation working globally to prevent human trafficking, prosecute human traffickers, and protect human trafficking victims.

Ruth Dearnley, CEO of Stop the Traffik said: “Every day people traffickers create new ways to increase their profits through the exploitation of men women and children. Stop the Traffik is excited to be coordinating the pioneering and creative network response to this terrible crime in Greater Manchester.

“We are delighted to see so many partner agencies and charities joining together with GMP to raise awareness, deliver training and assist victims during the week of action. We are determined to make it harder for traffickers to hide and operate in our city. By working together we can build truly resilient communities that protect the vulnerable and prevent people from being bought and sold like commodities.”