Cambridgeshire Police: Barriers are stopping victims of modern slavery from escaping
The force has told us it's seen an increase in reports of this kind of crime
Cambridgeshire Police have revealed they've seen an increase in reports of modern slavery.
They're now urging the public to look out for signs that someone could be exploited.
It can be devastating for victims
The most common forms this is taking are labour exploitation, sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation.
DS Chris Acourt from the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking team at Cambridgeshire police said:
We've had individuals who have suffered with their mental health for years afterwards
"We've encountered victims who we've spoken to once they've come out of the situation who have said that often they were on the verge of ending their life because they felt like they had nowhere else to go."
"We've had individuals who have suffered with their mental health for years afterwards because of the trauma that they suffered."
"They've often got no understanding of English and their rights and entitlements."
"They're scared to go to the authorities because of information they've been given or past experiences that they've had in their home countries."
"It can be devastating for victims."
"It's the hopelessness of the situation and the lack of control that they've got, and they're often bound by invisible chains."
"They are free to come and go from perhaps where they're living but they know if they were to leave there's no where really for them to go."
"It is probably more predominant because the officers that we have are recognising it more, and the general public are starting to recognise the signs more."
"We are seeing an upturn, but in a perverse kind of way it's good because it's actually getting noticed, and we are getting the chance to intervene."
More information on the signs: https://orlo.uk/F1kTH
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