Chief Constable co-hosts Devon Modern Slavery Conference
Modern slavery is the topic of discussion at a partnership conference to be held in Devon on Friday 25 September 2015.
A number of speakers from across the UK will be delivering keynote speeches addressing the complexity of this issue at the Sandy Park Conference Centre in Exeter.
Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, National Policing Lead for Modern Slavery, is co-hosting the event with Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, The Right Reverend Mark O’Toole; Anglican Bishop of Exeter, The Right Reverend Robert Atwell; Chief Executive of Devon County Council, Dr Phil Norrey; Chief Executive of Torbay City Council, Steve Parrock; and Chief Executive of Plymouth City Council, Tracey Lee.
The conference aims to raise awareness of the issue in Devon. Increased reporting of this crime will hopefully lead to offenders being brought to justice and victims receiving the care they need.
Delegates from law enforcement, health services, faith communities, local authorities, education, local businesses and other partner agencies will hear from six speakers from the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s Office, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, National Crime Agency, Bristol-based non-government organisation Unseen, Stronger Together and Devon and Cornwall Police.
An overview of slavery in the UK, national case studies, victim identification and care, the Stronger Together initiative and the role of the Gangmasters’ Licensing Authority will be among the areas discussed. Detective Superintendent Jim Colwell will be sharing the Devon Local Profile, covering the whole of the county, which will for the first time reveal the extent of the issue in this area.
Modern slavery is a hidden crime and there is no typical victim; men, women and children of all ages and nationalities, including British nationals, are being targeted by both serious and organised criminal gangs and opportunistic individuals who prey on their vulnerabilities.
Victims are controlled and often isolated which makes it difficult for people to spot the signs and therefore report this type of crime to police. Forced to work against their will, for long hours in appalling conditions for little or no pay, victims are frequently subject to verbal or physical threats of violence to them or their loved ones.
Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said: “Police forces across the UK are committed to combating modern slavery; we intend that by raising awareness of this issue that this will enable us, with the help of our partners here today, to bring offenders to justice and to safeguard those vulnerable to this repugnant crime.”
“National figures suggest an increase in reports of victimisation in the areas of forced labour, domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, with an estimated 10,000 to 13,000 victims of slavery currently in the UK.
“As National Policing Lead I am thrilled to co-host this event with representatives from Devon County Council, Torbay Council, Plymouth City Council, and the Anglican and Catholic Church. It is highly encouraging that our local authorities clearly understand the importance of safeguarding the vulnerable and are engaging across communities along with the Church, local businesses and non-government organisations in Devon.
"I believe that working closely with partners, agencies, and other key groups from within our communities is absolutely essential if we want to make Devon an environment that is hostile to modern slavery.
“I hope that as a result of this event we will continue to improve our ability to identify, rescue and support victims across the Force area whilst ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The Right Reverend Mark O’Toole, Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, said: “In these past weeks we have all been struck by how vulnerable refugees and migrants are as they seek to make a better life for themselves and their families. Some of them can be badly abused as they make this transition.
"I am pleased to be able to be part of this important conference, and for the Catholic Church in the South West to continue to work in partnership with law enforcement and community services to protect some of the most vulnerable in our society. We must put an end to modern slavery; it is a scar on the face of humanity.”
The Right Reverend Robert Atwell, Anglican Bishop of Exeter, said: “Sadly one of the realities of modern society is that vulnerable people can be readily exploited by others who force them into forced labour or servitude.
"It is the role of the church to speak out against such injustice, to support those who have been caught up in slavery and to look to longer term solutions to eradicate such exploitation from our communities.”
Dr Phil Norrey, Chief Executive of Devon County Council, said: “Nearly 200 years after the abolition of slavery in the British Empire the exploitation of vulnerable people, who are to all intents and purposes deprived of their liberty, happens in communities across the United Kingdom.
"We owe it to the victims of this pernicious practice to do whatever is in our power to root out modern slavery in all its forms.”
Councillor Philippa Davey, Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities for Plymouth City Council, said: “This is a very timely conference as modern slavery is a growing problem that needs to be stamped out.
"It is great to get all the partners together at this event so we can not only help raise awareness but also share our own learning, information and best practice. We want to let people know loud and clear that modern slavery is not welcome in Plymouth or any other part of Devon.”
You can follow the event on Twitter using #MSConDevon.
The Peninsula Overview on Modern Slavery has been published on the Force website. https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/slavery
For more information about modern slavery, including the signs and symptoms of modern slavery, how to report cases and help suspected victims, visit www.modernslavery.co.uk
If you suspect a case of modern slavery please call police on 101, email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk; call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or the National Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700.
