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At an event held on 22 May in Llandudno Junction, nearly 100 local business owners and public sector organisations from right across North Wales came together to look at the crucial issue of Modern Slavery, to understand how to identify it and discuss the risks it poses to the local economy.
Modern Slavery is a continuing threat to communities in North Wales and businesses need to be aware of how it can impact, and how to spot the signs. The free conference at Conwy Business Centre was organised by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for North Wales and opened with a welcome and introduction from Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Andy Dunbobbin and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Wayne Jones.
High-profile speakers were drawn from across the region and the wider UK, including Kevin Hyland OBE of the Santa Marta Group. Following 30 years in policing, including leading London’s Human Trafficking Unit, in 2014 Kevin Hyland OBE was appointed as the UK’s first Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, serving with distinction until 2018. Kevin Hyland’s presentation explored how Modern Slavery victims are exploited and which business sectors were most prone to Modern Slavery.
Martin Plimmer, Senior Investigating Officer for Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority, gave the audience example case studies of Modern Slavery from his work. Martin has responsibility for the North-West Region which includes North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Mr Plimmer’s presentation focused on a recent investigation into Modern Slavery in the care sector, discussing how authorities had dealt with the investigation and how perpetrators were brought to justice.
From North Wales, Glory Williams, Acting Assistant and Senior Practitioner for Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) at BAWSO (the organisation that provides support to black minority ethnic communities and individuals in Wales affected by abuse, violence and exploitation), and Melanie Chitty of Barnardo’s gave insights into their work supporting victims. Attendees also heard an emotional account from Glory Williams of a victim’s experience of forced labour and an overview of their journey in seeking help to escape exploitation.
North Wales Police’s Detective Superintendent Simon Williams spoke about the reality of Modern Slavery crime in North Wales today, providing an overview of the national and regional threat and the Force’s forward look in preventing Modern Slavery and how business owners could engage with their plans.
The final presentation of the conference came from Seb Phillips, North Wales Police Director of Finance, in a talk discussing ethical procurement and the steps businesses can make to ensure that supply chains are transparent and free from Modern Slavery.
Wayne Jones, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and Chair of the North Wales Modern Slavery Services Providers’ Forum, commented: “Modern Slavery is an area of exploitation that although often hidden, is very much present, with victims in our communities. As chair of the Modern Slavery Services Providers’ Forum my aim is to protect vulnerable people by working with agencies in the public and private sector to continue to raise awareness, develop best practice and share knowledge. This event represented an opportunity for all of us to come together and hear some key speakers outline what we should look out for here in North Wales.”
This message was reinforced by Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin, who said: “I am proud that my office hosted this event focusing on the scourge of Modern Slavery. A key priority in my Police and Crime Plan for North Wales is supporting victims and communities, and helping people who have suffered at the hands of traffickers and bringing the perpetrators to justice is hugely important to me personally.”