Police in London have launched a drive to tackle modern slavery in the construction industry, visiting sites across the centre of the capital to warn workers of the dangers.
The City of London Police’s community policing team visited a total of 28 sites in the Square Mile last week.
Over a five-day period (14-18 May), officers spoke to employees about their rights and entitlements as part of the National Crime Agency’s work to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking.
The move comes on the back of a major new report published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) last week, which warned that the construction sector is ripe for exploitation of British and migrant workers, while "systemic" auditing failures are allowing criminals infiltrate major projects undetected.
Detective chief inspector Edelle Michaels, from the City of London Police, said: "Here at the City of London Police we are working hard to understand the scale of the issue of modern slavery and human trafficking, alongside our law enforcement partners such as the National Crime Agency. We are committed to giving all employers and employees the organisational support and instruction they need to protect vulnerable people.
"We are determined to raise awareness amongst our communities of being able to spot the signs of modern slavery and human trafficking. We urge anyone who has any suspicion to get in touch with us by calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency) or to call Crimestoppers."
NCA deputy director Roy McComb said: "This co-ordinated week of activity aimed to disrupt and build intelligence on the criminal networks involved in labour exploitation, but also to raise awareness of the issues around modern slavery for workers coming into the UK and those already here.
"As well as the enforcement activity that has seen dozens of potential victims safeguarded, we have also aimed to speak to those at risk of falling into exploitation and help them understand the issues.
"This approach is important, because this is a crime that affects the vulnerable, and often victims don’t recognise themselves as such until it is too late."
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It’s hard to believe that slavery may still exist in Britain today, it’s not a nice thought that there are people still willing to exploit a human being for profit.
There has never been an end to slavery it just changed from chains and beatings to other lousy tactics – and the business sector has thrived on sweat shops and slavery for generatons-decades, nothing new I’m afraid