Public urged to help drive out scourge of slavery from Cumbria – NW Evening Mail

CUMBRIA police were tipped off about 130 cases of modern-day slavery during the last year, with some victims being forced into prostitution.

The shocking revelation came as senior officers and other professionals gathered for a conference examining what the force and other agencies can do to tackle the scourge of slavery.

Police chiefs including Cumbria's police and crime commissioner Peter McCall want to explode the myth that slavery does not happen in Cumbria.

A key aim of the conference yesterday was to highlight how such exploitation thrives on the profound fear of vulnerable victims, often forced to live in squalor and left so terrified they dare not ask for help.

For that reason, police want more help from the public to spot the tell-tale signs of exploitation.

There have been examples across the whole county.

Detective Chief Inspector Lesley Hanson, the senior officer responsible for coordinating efforts to fight the problem in Cumbria, said: "This is relevant to our county because we've had 130 intelligence reports of what we felt were cases of modern slavery in this county. In terms of sexual exploitation we've had instances of pop-up brothels with Lithuanian females brought into the county.

"We've also had labour exploitation and we have looked at particular car washes in the county.

People may have the misconception that modern-day slavery doesnt happen in Cumbria, and that it's only an issue for big cities. However, human trafficking and slavery can happen anywhere and I'd urge anyone who has concerns to report them to the police immediately.

She described how gangmaster criminals strip the victims of their official documentation, including their passport, and then pay them a pittance for work, and intimidate or beat up anybody who protests.

Young women forced into prostitution are being sexually abused. The victims are very vulnerable, said DCI Hanson. They're effectively held to ransom. They may have come from the EU so travelling to the UK is not an issue but they come over for false promises. We've had instances of people earning 20 per week.

Some come across to the UK believing they'll be doing something completely different to what they end up doing.

In some instances, said the officer, victims were forced to work on illegal cannabis farms in remote Cumbrian locations.

People don't think this kind of thing is happening in Cumbria but it really is. We want people to know what it is and to recognise the signs.

DCI Hanson said Cumbria police had carried out numerous investigations in the last year, and safeguarded several victims as a result.

She added: But it's not always about prosecution. It's about keeping victims safe. Anyone of any race or background could be a victim of modern-day slavery.

We often rely on the public for valuable information and evidence when investigating these types of crimes. I would urge people to take the time to learn the signs and get in touch if you have any suspicions that something is not quite right.

DCI Hanson's colleague, Detective Inspector James Yallop, said victims often isolated and vulnerable because they have no English can find themselves dominated and ruthlessly exploited.

He said: They're in a foreign country and they feel lost. They have their identity documents and money taken from them and they're already in debt. They're forced to work for well below the national minimum wage.

They often live in substandard conditions, in multi-occupancy houses and they don't know who to turn to for help. It's intimidation.

The conference heard from several experts who urged those attending to give priority to fighting slavery.

Mr McCall said: The first step to eradicating the scourge of modern slavery is acknowledging and confronting its existence.

"The threat of modern slavery is real and is happening in Cumbria and we cant allow this type of crime to become established.

The message to you is simple if you see something suspicious, please report it.

"We see people being exploited in agriculture, in tourism, in car washes. It takes all sorts of forms."

The event was funded by the police and crime commissioner and held at Carlisle Racecourse with 215 professionals in attendance.

Signs that someone is being exploited could include:

* Scared and withdrawn

* No confidence

* Unexplained injuries

* May live and work in same place

* No access to passport or documents

* Limited contact with family, or outside world

* Doesnt know home or work address

* Forced or intimidated to work, with low or no pay

* Distrustful

* Poor hygiene and unkempt appearance

*Speaks little English

Anyone with information or concerns regarding exploitation is asked to contact police on 101. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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Public urged to help drive out scourge of slavery from Cumbria - NW Evening Mail