New victim-focused task force to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking

‘THIS IS A HIDDEN CRIME’: Detective Chief Inspector Christine Calvert

Police have launched a new task force dedicated to tackling the “growing problem” of modern day slavery and human trafficking.

But unlike most policing initiatives, which focus on arrests and prosecutions, the primary aim of Operation Wilberforce is to protect victims and move them out of harm’s way.

The specialist team, led by Humberside Police Detective Inspector Christine Calvert, is also focused on raising awareness of the issues, enabling other agencies and members of the public to spot those at risk and look for signs of abuse.

They will also seek to build relationships with partners in other fields, including charities, local authorities, education, health, communities and businesses.

The specialist officers will also provide training, support and guidance to colleagues in the force.

Det Chief Insp Calvert said: “Although you may not see it, modern day slavery exists in the Humberside Police area and often goes unnoticed in our local communities.

“Sadly, it’s happening all around us in places we might usually visit, but it goes unnoticed. From the local hand car wash, a nail bar, or even your village takeaway - slavery and trafficking is a growing cause for concern across the entire Humber region.”

As an indication of the scale of the problem, the force has supported 110 victims of modern day slavery or trafficking so far this year.

Three “large-scale”, intelligence-led investigations are already under way. One involves a “young female” trafficked into the UK from another European country for sexual exploitation. An indication of her age is that she is now in foster care.

Another case is centred on a company working across Yorkshire. It employs foreign nationals who are “sleeping, eating and working in the same premises”, Det Chief Insp Calvert said.

The three most common forms of modern day slavery in the force area are forced labour, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude. There is no typical victim and they can be men, women or children of all ages, the officer said.

But it is most prevalent among the most vulnerable, including minority groups or the socially excluded.

Det Chief Insp Calvert said: “The ultimate aim is protecting the victim. Prosecution is just one avenue we can take.” The force can also seek prevention orders for offenders.

Andrew Smith, co-ordinator of the Humber Modern Slavery Partnership, said: “Most people don’t understand who victims are, and don’t really understand who’s affected and why.”

He said young people in low-income neighbourhoods are among the most vulnerable, adding: “It’s really difficult for support services to support those young people who are scared to come forward. Many people don’t even know they are a victim.”

‘SOME PEOPLE DON’T EVEN KNOW THEY ARE A VICTIM’: Andrew Smith

Also at the launch on Monday was Dr Alicia Kidd from Hull’s Wilberforce Institute, and also vice-chair of the partnership. She said: “Operation Wilberforce is a really positive step because we have now got a dedicated police team on modern slavery who are that wrap-around of all the different agencies.”

One example that is becoming more widely known is “county lines” drug-dealing, where often young people are moved around the country by gangs to sell drugs under threat of violence or intimidation.

Dr Kidd said: “Human trafficking has to involve some form of movement; you don’t necessarily have to cross a border. A child is being groomed and exploited for organised crime.”

‘THIS IS A POSITIVE STEP’: Dr Alicia Kidd

Det Chief Insp Calvert said: “I think it’s a growing problem, and as people become more aware of it they will report it more, and that’s what we are hoping for, for the public to report any concerns they have.”