Charity Crimestoppers has launched a campaign to highlight modern slavery in Cumbria.
There are fears that with lockdown restrictions continuing, many crimes will go unreported, victims may be less visible, and may be living in impoverished and unhygienic conditions with little food.
The campaign is in partnership with Cumbria’s crime commissioner, Peter McCall, and Cumbria police, as part of its ongoing drive to make Cumbria safer for everyone.
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 Cumbria today.
Co-ordinated by criminal gangs often from Eastern Europe, Asia as well as the UK, modern slavery fuels serious and organised crime.
It takes many forms such as contractors working in factories, construction or agriculture who are paid little for often excessively long hours.
They are also hiding in plain sight in car washes, nail bars and takeaways. The exploitation extends to girls and young women who are forced to work in the sex trade often in rental properties and sometimes also forced to sell 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:
- Show signs of injury, abuse and malnourishment
- Look unkempt, often in the same clothing and have poor hygiene
- Be under the control and influence of others
- Live in cramped, dirty, overcrowded accommodation
- Have no access or control of their passport or identity documents
- Appear scared, avoid eye contact, seem untrusting
- Collected very early and/or returned late at night on a regular basis
- May have inappropriate clothing for the work they are performing, and/or a lack of 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 the website Crimestoppers-uk.org and completing the simple and secure anonymous online form or by calling 0800 555 111.
If you think someone is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999.
Gary Murray, regional manager for Crimestoppers, said: “Cumbria is one of the safest and most beautiful places in England to live and work, and it is frightening to think that there are those who seek to exploit and harm vulnerable people here for greed and financial gain.
“Whilst we are encouraged to see a number of reports on modern slavery that we have received from the public, this also means it sadly remains an issue in our county.
“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 out 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 per cent anonymous. Always.”
