The charity Crimestoppers has today launched a new campaign to highlight modern slavery in the City of Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Haringey and Enfield. There are fears that victims have been less visible during the pandemic, often living in impoverished and unhygienic conditions with little food and are hidden away.
Anonymous information given to the charity from concerned members of the public allows the police to make quick interventions to protect and safeguard some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
Modern slavery takes many forms and is happening in London today. Coordinated by criminal gangs often from Eastern Europe, Asia as well as the UK, modern slavery fuels serious and organised crime that ultimately harms us all, as well as the desperate victims under their control. They are hiding in plain sight in car washes, nail bars and takeaway, and working as contractors in construction or factories. They are paid little for often excessively long hours.
The exploitation extends to girls and young women who are forced to work in the sex trade often in rental properties and sometimes selling drugs. Those who control the victims can also be behind shoplifting gangs, organised begging, cannabis cultivation and County Lines drug dealing.
Some of the common signs to spot for a modern slavery victim include:
Showing signs of injury, abuse and malnourishment
Looking unkempt, often in the same clothing and have poor hygiene
Being under the control and influence of others
Living in cramped, dirty, overcrowded accommodation
Having no access or control of their passport or identity documents
Appearing scared, avoiding eye contact, seem untrusting
Regularly collected very early in the morning and/or returned late at night
Having inappropriate clothing for the work they are performing, and/or lacking safety equipment
May be isolated from the local community and their family
Anyone who has suspicions can speak up anonymously about modern slavery by visiting website Crimestoppers-uk.org and completing a simple and secure anonymous online form or by calling the charity’s 24/7 UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111.
If you think someone is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999.
Alexa Loukas, London Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “It is frightening and saddening to think that there are those who seek to exploit and harm vulnerable and weak people for greed and financial gain. Many vulnerable people are being exploited and living in squalid conditions and in fear. They feel that they cannot break free from the criminals who control them.
“I would encourage anyone who has suspicions that this is happening in their area to contact us anonymously and speak up for those whose voices are silenced.
“Our charity has been around since the 1980s and we’ve always kept our promise that everyone who contacts us stays 100% anonymous. Always. If you have information, please use our anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call our UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. Together we can help end this appalling form of exploitation.”
Cllr Heather Acton, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Regeneration, said: “Modern slavery is a complex and hidden crime occurring in our communities and we want all residents, visitors and businesses in Westminster to look out for the signs of exploitation and report them to Crimestoppers.
“It’s vital we all play our part and take responsibility to end modern slavery. We have worked with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to produce a five-year Modern Slavery and Exploitation Strategy to demonstrate how we are responding and how we plan to tackle the issue.”
