A report is being presented at Cabinet today which will shed a light on modern slavery and how we plan to tackle this in Plymouth.
Over the last few years, Plymouth has been involved in Operation Aidant which is a national multi-agency operation aimed at identifying offenders of modern slavery. It is co-ordinated by the National Crime Agency to maximise opportunities to safeguard individuals and disrupt criminality.
Plymouth City Council played a vital role in supporting police partners who lead this area of work which focused on takeaways and restaurant delivery as part of the national project. In April of this year, working with our partners we visited around 100 takeaways and restaurants in a two-week period. We checked working practices and employee welfare. The intelligence gathered helps us and our partners to target resources and tackle modern slavery effectively.
Modern slavery in the UK can take many forms but forced labour is the most common due to the demand for low cost products. In Plymouth the priority areas of concern are forced labour and sexual exploitation.
The Modern Slavery Act (2015) sets out a range of measures on how modern slavery and human trafficking should be dealt with in the UK. In 2021, a detailed Modern Slavery Action Plan was introduced to ensure that measures to prevent modern slavery were embedded within service delivery and decision making processes within the Council.
Since the Modern Slavery Action Plan was created in 2021, the Council has taken several steps to combat modern slavery which have included:
- Requiring the businesses and organisations we work with to comply fully with the Modern Slavery Act (2015), wherever it applies
- Requiring procurement colleagues to complete the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Ethical Procurement and Supply training module.
Cabinet will be asked to approve the updated Modern Slavery Annual Statement, which will form the basis of a new action plan.
Councillor Rebecca Smith, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning Homes and Communities, said: “Modern slavery is relatively uncommon in Plymouth, however it is important that we remain vigilant and take preventative steps.
“That’s why we are involved in extensive partnership work with the police to help tackle and prevent modern slavery from happening in our city. It is imperative that we raise awareness and that people know the signs of modern slavery and what to do if they suspect something isn’t right.”
Spot the signs
If you suspect modern slavery, do not intervene as you could put yourself or others in danger. Contact the police at the earliest opportunity.
These are some indicators that an individual may be the victim of modern slavery:
Physical appearance: Victims may show signs of physical or psychological abuse, look malnourished or unkempt, or appear withdrawn and neglected. They may have untreated injuries.
Isolation: Victims may rarely be allowed to travel on their own, seem under the control, influence of others, rarely interact or appear unfamiliar with their neighbourhood or where they work.
Poor living conditions: Victims may be living in dirty, cramped or overcrowded accommodation, and / or living and working at the same address.
Few or no personal effects: Victims may have no identification documents, have few personal possessions and always wear the same clothes day in day out.
Restricted freedom of movement: Victims may have little opportunity to move freely and may have had their travel documents retained e.g. passports.
Unusual travel times: They may be dropped off/collected for work on a regular basis either very early or late at night.
Reluctance to seek help: Victims may avoid eye contact, appear frightened or hesitant to talk to strangers and fear law enforcers for many reasons, such as not knowing who to trust or where to get help, fear of deportation, fear of violence to them or their family. They may be accompanied by someone else who speaks for them.