Met officers are working with partners to tackle modern slavery, particularly with Romanian communities, to increase awareness to identify the signs and work to gain the trust of potential victims who are exploited by traffickers.
A week of intensified activity began on Sunday, 24 September. It sees local officers in Barnet working with detectives from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team to raise awareness and empower businesses and individuals to work with them to prevent modern slavery. This activity aligns with the New Met for London plan where communities work with their local officers to reduce crime in their area.
Officers are working closely with Romanian communities who, police intelligence shows, can be more vulnerable to becoming victims of modern slavery.
They will be working together with international colleagues from ANITP – Romania’s national agency dealing with human trafficking – to help strengthen the Met’s response to cross-border offending. Two colleagues from ANITP have joined officers in London to engage with communities with high Romanian populations, helping to highlight the signs of exploitation and share knowledge on how to spot them.
Officers will be patrolling areas identified through intelligence. This includes attending brothels and homeless shelters. They will also be engaging with Romanian nationals on incoming flights into Luton Airport and with church congregations, following sermons at multiple churches with Romanian attendees.
Detective Inspector Mel Lillywhite, from the Met’s Modern Slavery Unit, said: “By working with the Romanian Police we are cracking down on organised criminal networks who play a key part in human trafficking and exploit the most vulnerable in our communities.
“We also need help from the public as they have an important role to play in recognising and reporting modern slavery. If you suspect someone may be a victim of modern slavery, please report it. You will always be taken seriously and protection and support is available.”
Exploited people can often be found working in places such as carwashes, nail bars and on construction sites. Signs of potential victims of modern slavery may include:
– Working excessively long hours and rarely having a day off;
– Appearing to be under the control of someone else and being reluctant to interact with others;
– Appearing malnourished, having little or no money and having untreated medical injuries due to not having access to medical services.
People may also notice the cost of a service being offered to them is too low, or notice that a small property within their community is housing too many people.
Victim identification and engagement can often be challenging which is why during the week of activity officers will be supported by Justice and Care, along with Romanian speaking Met officers.
Justice and Care is a charity which works with the police to identify people trapped in modern slavery and support them to walk free.
Cristina Huddleston, Director of European Operations for Justice and Care, said: “Modern slavery is everywhere, a crime hidden in plain sight. We are privileged to be able to work alongside officers from the Metropolitan Police in the UK and with Agenția Natională Împotriva Traficului de Persoane in Romania to raise awareness on how to spot the signs and report any concerns in communities at risk of exploitation.”
The Met continues to recognise the seriousness of modern slavery and the devastation it brings to people’s lives and communities. Through a dedicated team, officers investigate complex cases, targeting offenders and supporting victims. The specialist team works with partners to signpost victims to support services.
For more information about Justice and Care please visit www.justiceandcare.org
The UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline operates 24/7, 365 days a year. It is free to use, available in more than 200 languages, and confidential. Expert Helpline Advisers are there for support and advice, not only for victims of modern slavery, but for the public, businesses and statutory agencies like the police, NHS and local government. If you need help, have concerns, or need advice, call us on 08000 121 700. www.modernslaveryhelpline.org
You can also report to the police online at www.met.police.uk or by calling 101, in case of an emergency dial 999. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
