Woman hit with order to prevent modern slavery
INVESTIGATION OVER BID TO HIRE WORKERS IN FAR EAST
A COURT order that aims to protect vulnerable people from exploitation by others has been granted for the first time in Nottinghamshire.
A civil Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO) was made against Suhaida Mahiyudin at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court last week.
It came after she was investigated for recruiting people from Malaysia to be a nanny with a view to exploiting them.
According to the Global Slavery Index, modern slavery is most prevalent in Africa, followed by Asia and the Pacific region. It affects millions of men, women and children
In its most recent report, it said the practice was “widespread and pervasive, often unacknowledged”.
The order prohibits Mahiyudin from facilitating international travel or accommodation for any person other than herself or members of her immediate family, unless she has written permission from Nottinghamshire Police.
She also can’t reside at the same address as any other person other than her immediate family without seven days’ prior notification of the force’s Chief Constable.
The final guidance within the order states she can’t be in possession or control of any official documentation belonging to a third party, other than immediate family, including passports and bank cards.
Only 14 STROS have been granted in England and Wales in the past year. Detective Inspector Paul Lefford, from Nottinghamshire Police’s dedicated Modern Slavery team, said: “We have utilised Slavery and Trafficking Protection orders on conviction previously but this is the first time a civil Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order has been granted in Nottinghamshire. “This shows our commitment to using all available legislation under the Modern Slavery Act to protect the vulnerable in society.
“In this case, Mahiyudin used Facebook to recruit workers from Malaysia, risking them being exploited. “To get a STRO granted is fantastic work and it’s taken eight months of hard work to get to this result. “The court found that Mahiyudin had acted in a way that there is a risk of committing a slavery or trafficking offence and this order is necessary to protect the public. “We are always looking for ways to improve our service to the public and identifying victims of modern slavery to provide them with the care and protection is an area where we are seeing some positive outcomes.
“We work closely with partners and our colleagues to share information and support potential victims.
“I would urge the public and communities to continue to be vigilant and report any concerns regarding Modern Slavery to either Nottinghamshire Police or via the Modern Slavery Helpline or call 08000 121 700.”
To get a STRO granted is fantastic and it’s taken eight months of hard work to get this result. DI Paul Lefford