Harlow: Spotting the signs of modern slavery and human trafficking

Officers have been visiting businesses in Harlow to raise awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking.

Working with the Justice and Care charity, officers from the Harlow Town Centre Team spoke to business owners, managers and staff yesterday, Thursday 26 October, about how to spot the signs that someone has been trafficked or is being exploited.

And they also encouraged them to report any concerns they may have in the future.

Sgt Matt Hughes, of Harlow Town Centre Team, says:

“Tackling modern slavery and human trafficking is important to me, the town centre team and to Essex Police as a whole.
“However, while we have no specific intelligence that modern slavery and human trafficking is a problem in Harlow, we want to identify potential issues early on.
“So we visit various businesses to discuss the topic. Yesterday we were working with staff from one of our partners, the Justice and Care Modern Slavery Support Team.
“Regular visits mean we can provide owners and staff with information, gather intelligence and offer them advice about reporting any concerns.
“It’s important that our business owners and managers know how to spot the signs of modern slavery and identify victims of human trafficking.
“I urge people to come forward and tell us if you need help or wish to discuss concerns. If you believe a person is being trafficked and is in immediate danger, always call 999. To give us information, please report online at www.essex.police.uk/ro or ring the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0 121 700.”

Debi Lloyd, European operational manager at Justice and Care, says:

“Modern slavery is everywhere, a crime hidden in plain sight that has no place in our communities. 
“We were privileged to work alongside Essex Police, engaging with local businesses to raise awareness on how to spot the signs.”

Spot the signs of modern slavery & human trafficking and report your concerns

Signs that people may have been trafficked or are being exploited include indications of physical or psychological abuse and untreated injuries. They may seem anxious, agitated or withdrawn and reluctant to make eye contact or interact with others.

Workers may live in the same cramped accommodation and travel together. They may be regularly collected and dropped off for work very early or late and work long hours. They may appear unfamiliar with their neighbourhood or place of employment. They may even live at their place of work.

If you are concerned about a potential victim of modern slavery or human trafficking, or a situation that is potentially exploitative, report it.

Call 999 if you believe a person is being trafficked and is in immediate danger.

Otherwise, if you have information about modern slavery or human trafficking, there are various ways you can report it:

• online on our website or at www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/report
  
  
• by ringing the police non-emergency number 101 or the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0 121 700
  
  
• anonymously, to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111

Justice and Care

The Justice and Care charity works with the police to identify men, women and children trapped in modern slavery and supports them to walk free.

Staff provide specialist aftercare and journey with them on the road to recovery. They empower survivors to work with police and CPS to testify in court and ensure traffickers are brought to justice.

And they support vulnerable families and individuals within communities that are targeted by traffickers, raising awareness of the issue and helping families to become financially stable.

Find out more on the Justice and Care website.