The Headlines
Ports Target Modern Slavery and People Trafficking with New Industry Guidelines
A new set of industry guidelines has been introduced to help ports worldwide tackle modern slavery and human trafficking more effectively. The guidance encourages greater vigilance in ports as they serve as key transit points and aims to strengthen collaborative measures among stakeholders. By providing clearer protocols, the initiative seeks to aid port workers and officials in identifying and reporting suspicious activity, hoping to reduce the exploitation of vulnerable individuals through maritime routes.
Read more at Sea News
Criminal Gangs Exploiting Vulnerable People's Homes as Drug Dens in the UK
A disturbing trend known as "cuckooing" has emerged in the UK, where criminal gangs take over the homes of vulnerable individuals to use as bases for illegal drug activities and human trafficking. This form of exploitation often involves coercion, intimidation, and violence, trapping vulnerable people in their own homes. Authorities are increasing efforts to identify and assist victims while clamping down on organised crime activities linked to cuckooing.
Read more at The Big Issue
Parliamentary Committee Recommends Overhaul to UK’s Modern Slavery Laws
A recent report by a UK parliamentary committee has highlighted critical gaps in the country’s approach to modern slavery, calling for robust changes to existing laws. This push for reform aims to strengthen protections for vulnerable individuals and streamline enforcement against exploitative practices. Hill Dickinson delves into the committee’s findings, which underscore the need for legislative change to address emerging threats in trafficking and forced labor across sectors.
Read more at Hill Dickinson.
A Former Harrods Employee Accuses Al-Fayed of Trafficking and Says His Brother Knew. A former employee of Mohamed al-Fayed has accused him of trafficking, rape, and abuse during her employment at Harrods, alleging his brother Ali may hold evidence of Harrods' complicity in covering up the abuse. Filed in a U.S. court, the claims suggest systematic exploitation and compare the scale of the alleged crimes to those of high-profile figures like Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein.
Read more at the New York Times
Immigration crackdown sees British modern slavery victims imprisoned. A change in UK government policy has led to the treatment of modern slavery primarily as an immigration issue, leaving foreign-born victims vulnerable to deportation and British victims often overlooked or imprisoned. Legislation like the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 has compounded these challenges, making it harder for victims forced into criminal acts to access support, while experts warn that many remain trapped without adequate protections due to a flawed and inconsistent system.
Read more at Open Democracy
Joint investigation sees suspected small boat supplier arrested in the Netherlands. A joint operation by the National Crime Agency, along with Dutch and Belgian partners, led to the arrest of a 44-year-old Turkish man suspected of supplying boats and engines to people-smuggling networks for cross-Channel crossings. This coordinated effort underscores the importance of international collaboration in combating organised immigration crime and disrupting dangerous smuggling operations.
Read more at the National Crime Agency
Indonesian Workers Say They Faced Modern Slavery in the UK. Who Is Responsible?
Indonesian workers recruited under the UK’s post-Brexit seasonal labor scheme have alleged exploitation, including debt bondage and modern slavery, due to mismatched visa durations and harvest seasons, high costs for recruitment, and unrealistic work targets. The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority is investigating the scheme, as both UK and Indonesian parties face scrutiny for failing to prevent such practices, leaving many workers in severe debt and unable to return home.
Read more at The Diplomat
PM speech to the INTERPOL General Assembly: 4 November 2024
In his speech at the 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly on November 4, 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the need for global cooperation to combat organised crime, especially people smuggling. He announced increased UK funding for INTERPOL, focusing on better data-sharing and cross-border security. Starmer called for stronger international efforts to tackle human trafficking, comparing it to a security threat similar to terrorism.
Read more at at gov.uk
We must stop smuggling gangs before they act - Starmer
This report covers Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement of a £75 million funding increase for the UK’s Border Security Command (BSC) to tackle human trafficking. In his speech at the INTERPOL General Assembly, Starmer emphasised using counter-terrorism tactics against smuggling gangs, with additional resources for investigators and intelligence-sharing. The report also includes criticisms from former immigration officials regarding the feasibility of these measures in curbing illegal migration.
Read more at bbc.com
OSCE report on combating trafficking in human beings: UK response
This report outlines the UK's response to the OSCE's efforts in combating human trafficking, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The UK praises the OSCE's monitoring of trafficking risks exacerbated by Russia's war and emphasises the need for stronger protection measures for vulnerable individuals, especially women and children. The report also highlights the UK's commitment to eradicating modern slavery and forced labor, including efforts to address business-related human rights abuses and the use of AI in facilitating trafficking. Additionally, it acknowledges the importance of including survivors' voices in anti-trafficking initiatives.
Read more at gov.uk.
Regional Stories
England
Last week, Hertfordshire police led a series of targeted operations to combat human trafficking and exploitation across the county. This multi-agency effort focused on identifying victims, disrupting trafficking networks, and raising community awareness on exploitation. - Luton: Luton sex trafficking charity asked by council to clarify founder's comments after criticism. Read the full report here.
Republic of Ireland
Recent conferences underscored the essential role of healthcare professionals in identifying victims of human trafficking, an issue that the Santa Marta Group has previously engaged with and continues to prioritise. Experts stressed the necessity for specialised training in this area, and the Santa Marta Group has supported these efforts by providing educational materials to the International Council of Nurses (ICN) to help enhance recognition and response to signs of exploitation.
UNODC Report on INTERPOL Operation LIBERTERRA II
The UNODC-supported Operation Liberterra II, coordinated with INTERPOL, has achieved a major breakthrough in combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Conducted across 116 countries, the operation rescued 3,222 potential victims and identified 17,800 irregular migrants over the span of one week. Collaborative efforts by law enforcement, prosecutors, and UNODC experts facilitated real-time case handling and cross-border cooperation, resulting in 2,517 arrests, with 850 directly linked to trafficking and smuggling offenses. The operation also revealed shifting patterns of trafficking, such as coercion into fraudulent activities, underscoring the complexity of these crimes. Continued partnership between INTERPOL and UNODC remains crucial to dismantling criminal networks worldwide.
Read the full report here
The Salvation Army: Statistics from the NRM
The Salvation Army has expressed deep concern over recent data from the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which indicates a rising number of potential modern slavery victims declining referral into the government support system. The Salvation Army emphasises that without adequate training and trauma-informed care, First Responders risk alienating potential victims, leaving them vulnerable to re-exploitation. Major Kathy Betteridge, Director of Anti-Trafficking, highlighted the troubling decrease in victims accessing support and called for mandatory, accredited training for all First Responders. This would enhance their ability to build trust and provide essential information for government decision-making, ensuring victims receive crucial support and protection.
Read the full report here | 
