Hundreds of potential slavery victims in Hampshire

A report revealed that 253 potential victims of slavery were reported in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight last year - with one in four of them children.

Modern slavery, which includes human trafficking, is the illegal exploitation of people for personal or commercial gain.

It can take different forms of slavery, such as domestic or labour exploitation, organ harvesting, EU Status exploitation, and financial, sexual and criminal exploitation.

Each year, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority (HIWFRA), combined by all four authorities, the three unitary councils, and the county council, spends around £99m on making “life safer” in the county and preventing slavery and human trafficking.

Chief Fire Officer, Neil Odin, says it's very much part of their day-to-day job now:

"We can go into someone's home as part of a Safe and Well visit, or indeed a commercial premises, we may spot something there - and we have spotted things in the past, where we need to inform police or others.

"We've spotted some obvious signs of potential slavery - like locked rooms or people who aren't free to leave when they wish."

According to the Government’s UK Annual Report on Modern Slavery, 10,613 potential victims were referred to the National Referral Mechanism in the year ended September 2021.

In case any member of the Authority or any of its staff suspects slavery or human trafficking activity either within the community or the organisation, then the concerns will be reported through the Service’s Safeguarding Reporting Procedure.

If slavery or human trafficking activity is suspected through its supply chain, it will be reported to Hampshire Constabulary via the Modern Slavery Helpline.

They can be contacted confidentially, at any time, on 0800 012 1700.

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