Peterborough police advertising campaign aims to stop modern slavery

The two weeks of ads began on Heart’s Peterborough and Cambridge stations today (Monday, 8 June) and will continue to be played six times a day until Monday, 22 June.

The force’s campaign shines a spotlight on the Coronavirus pandemic which has forced some people to change where they work, and who they work with.

These people could now consequently be part of a new group who could help the force’s efforts to tackle modern slavery – a force priority.

Many things have changed due to Covid-19, but the ad enforces the message that slavery is still here, and the police need the public’s help to fight it.

As part of the clip, victims are reminded that modern slavery is often a hidden crime with the signs hard to spot – but trusting their instincts and reporting any concerns could save a life.

People are encouraged to seek more information and advice on the force’s website – www.cambs.police.uk/modernslavery – which will also help them know how to spot the signs and report concerns.

The advertising follows social media posts put on the force’s Facebook and Twitter pages last Thursday (4 June) which, as of Friday morning, had been seen by 25,000 people.

Detective Superintendent Becky Tipping said: “Radio advertising is just one of the communication methods we are using to try and target those who could now help us tackle modern slavery when they could not do so previously.

“The Covid-19 pandemic means that we may now have eyes and ears in places we wouldn’t have even expected – and we need those people to speak up if something doesn’t feel quite right.

“With modern slavery being a hidden crime, tackling it can be challenging and that’s why we are doing all we can to reach out to people who may be able to help us as a result of their circumstances changing.

“People can help by knowing what the signs of modern slavery are and when someone may be being exploited.

“Just a few are listed below, but there is also lots more helpful information on the force’s modern slavery web page.”

Spotting the signs of modern slavery

Warning signs include people:

not being able to come and go as they wish

being under 18 and providing commercial sex acts

working in the commercial sex industry with a pimp/manager

being unpaid or paid very little

working excessively long or unusual hours

not being allowed breaks or suffers restrictions at work

owing a large debt and being unable to pay it off

being recruited through false promises

having high security measures at their place of work and/or living locations e.g. opaque windows

Modern slavery effects on mental health and behaviours

Poor mental health or abnormal behaviour is another sign of modern slavery. This can include people:

being fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous or paranoid

avoiding eye contact

lacking health care

appearing malnourished

showing signs of physical or sexual abuse, physical restraint or torture

having few or no personal possessions

not being in control of their own money, bank account or ID documents, e.g. passport or ID

not being able to speak for themselves

not wanting to explain where they are living

having a lack of knowledge of where they are

having no sense of time

having inconsistencies in their story

Modern slavery sexual abuse

Signs of sexual abuse is another factor to look out for. This can include people:

being underage and taking part in inappropriate or risky behaviour

having older boyfriends or girlfriends

receiving unexplained and expensive gifts like mobile phones and clothes

having multiple mobile phones and worrying about losing contact via mobile

changing the way they dress

going to hotels or other unusual locations to meet friends

getting in/out of different cars driven by unknown people

being involved in abusive relationships and intimidated and fearful of certain people or situations

not going to school and getting involved with crime, drugs or alcohol abuse

having mood swings