Record numbers of modern slavery

A record number of victims of modern day slavery and human trafficking are coming to light in North Wales including pensioners in their 60s and 70s.

According to Police Commissioner Arfon Jones, 2019 saw a 60 per cent increase in cases, from 63 to around 100, with the majority of cases involving children and young people being coerced into selling drugs by vicious County Lines gangmasters. But older people are also being targeted by the organised crime gangs because they are vulnerable for a variety of reasons, including age, loneliness or disability.

The news came during a meeting with the newlyappointed modern day slavery case worker, Kamille Fijalkowski.

Ms Fijalkowski is the second person to hold the pioneering position funded by the commissioner and is based at the Victim Help Centre in St Asaph which serves the whole of North Wales.

Tackling the “insidious” issue has been made a priority by Mr Jones, a former police officer, and is central to his Police and Crime Plan.

DS Richard Sidney, from North Wales Police’s modern day slavery unit, said: “The fact that we are seeing such a big increase in cases is good news in the sense that we are identifying victims we were previously unaware of.”

If you suspect slavery is happening near you please report it to police on 101, anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 012 1700 or BAWSO on 08007318147.