GMP praised for trying to tackle modern slavery

GREATER Manchester Police has been praised for its efforts to tackle modernday slavery and trafficking as reports of offences spiral.

A total of 137 reports of modern slavery were recorded during 2016, compared to 87 in 2015 and just 22 in 2014. So far this year there have been 104. Now police in the region have been praised by government inspectors for their ‘wide-ranging’ approach to dealing with a growing national problem.

Officers have employed a range of tactics, including training tactical advisers to support investigations.

More than a hundred victim liaison officers have been assigned to act as a single point of contact for victims throughout each investigation.

Officers even employed a trauma expert to understand why sex workers did not try and escape their pimps.

Greater Manchester Police is one of the only UK forces to have a dedicated unit tackling modern slavery and human trafficking.

The force has now been named as a leading force for its response to modern slavery and human trafficking by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “It is often difficult to reach and engage with the victims of these crimes as the very nature of them means victims don’t believe they are being abused or taken advantage of.

“I am therefore very proud of my officers and staff whose tireless work has contributed to this positive review.

“The criminals behind these abhorrent crimes are part of serious and organised criminal gangs. They trade in fellow humans as they do in drugs and weapons and other ciminal commodities.”

HMICFRS praised GMP for its ‘wideranging internal and external campaigns’ which have included summits and conferences, a day of action, extensive use of social media and a multilingual approach to publications.