Crime commissioner sets out plans to fight slavery

Cambridgeshire's police and crime commissioner said exploitation was an issue in the county

A police and crime commissioner (PCC) has set out plans to tackle modern slavery, forced labour and exploitation.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough PCC Darryl Preston said tackling the issue was one of his biggest priorities.

This week, he and the county's chief constable Nick Dean agreed on steps the Cambridgeshire force would be taking, including offering training to new recruits.

"It is vital we continue to support victims who are often unaware they are being exploited," he said.

PCC Darryl Preston said Cambridgeshire Constabulary was committed to tackling the crime

"Sadly, modern slavery is very much an issue here in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough," Mr Preston added.

"It is vital we continue to support victims, who are often unaware they are being exploited.

"Here in Cambridgeshire, we have two multilingual care coordinators who are able to speak to victims of crime in their first language."

Funded by the commissioner’s office, the care coordinators also respond to referrals for support from the police.

Between April 2022 and March 2023, the force's dedicated hub supported 340 people.

Chief Constable Nick Dean said: "Modern slavery and human trafficking are horrendous crimes, with people trapped in desperate situations where they feel as though there is no way out.

"We are committed to tackling modern slavery in Cambridgeshire and we have dedicated teams working hard to do just that.

"Information from the public is vital in our efforts to bring perpetrators to justice and help victims out of awful circumstances. I’d encourage everyone to be aware of the signs of modern slavery and report any concerns."