Leading fight on slavery
THE UK’s first police support officer dedicated to helping victims of modern slavery has just started work as part of a major campaign to tackle the callous crime in North Wales.
The appointment of former British Red Cross worker Matthew Hazlewood was made possible thanks to special funding from the region’s police and crime commissioner, Arfon Jones.
Combating modern slavery is a key priority in the commissioner’s Police and Crime plan, his blueprint for policing North Wales.
Father-of-three Mr Hazlewood is part of North Wales Police’s modern slavery unit and works with the Victim Help Centre, a one-stop shop for victims of all crime. The centre covers the whole of North Wales and is at divisional police HQ in St Asaph.
According to Mr Jones, modern day slavers are trafficking people through North Wales on a daily basis.
Criminals from Ireland are bringing people into North Wales through Holyhead, bound for back-breaking work in the region or further afield.
He said: “Modern slavery and human trafficking are appalling and callous crimes which reach right into our society here in North Wales, which is why I have made it one of my priorities in my Police and Crime Plan.
“It is growing issue and the more resources we are able to put in, the more we are uncovering. Holyhead Port is a real challenge and we know people smuggling and labour exploi- tation are issues we need to urgently tackle and address.
“There are so many areas that are a concern, whether it’s the fishing or cockling industries, car washes, agriculture or elsewhere. It’s a growing problem that many police forces are having to address.”
He added: “In North Wales we are actually ahead of the game when it comes to the gathering of intelligence and how we proactively act upon that intelligence. We can be rightly proud of what we have already achieved.
“I’m delighted to welcome Matthew Hazlewood to the role and I’m pleased it’s a position I am able to fund. We have to remember that survivors of modern day slavery and human trafficking will present a longterm problem if only due to language and cultural differences. These are issues we will need to sensitively overcome.”
Matthew Hazlewood has always been interested in helping victims of human trafficking. After leaving Natural Resources Wales in 2015, he volunteered in Cyprus, helping asylum seekers, refugees and victims of human trafficking.
He said: “I returned to North Wales and began volunteering with the British Red Cross, working with asylum seekers and refugees in Wrexham. A team-leader role came up and I accepted the job of helping Syrian refugees to resettle in NE Wales.”
“I applied for the role of modern day slavery case worker here at the North Wales Victim Support Centre at St Asaph as it’s an issue and a problem that is very important.
“I believe I can bring the energy and expertise required to support victims and the work of the Victim Support Centre.
“My role is to support people caught up in modern slavery and also to raise awareness with the third sector about the changing face of exploitation in North Wales.
“Just how many victims there are we are unsure about but it is probably in the tens of thousands.
“Victims can be male, female or children and from all nationalities and backgrounds... but all are ultimately vulnerable and need of help.” ● North Wales Police has further information on its modern slavery website at www.north-wales.police. uk/ advice- and-support/ stay-safe/ modern-slavery.aspx. ● If you suspect slavery is happening near you, report it on 101, anonymously, via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 012 1700 or BAWSO on 08007318147. ● The victim help service is available 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday, 9am5pm on Saturdays. Call free on 0300 3030159, email northwales.help centre@victimsupport.org.uk, or visit www. victimhelpcentrenorthwales. org.uk