Tag: modern slavery

Police lead day of action to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery

Police Scotland led a multi-agency day of action in Kirkcaldy in relation to an ongoing human trafficking and modern slavery investigation.

One male aged 18 was arrested for human trafficking and modern slavery offences and has been released pending further enquiry.

A 52-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were arrested for immigration offences and enquiries are ongoing.

Officers visited a business in the area on the morning of Thursday, 10 October, 2024, following intelligence received.

Representatives from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Gangmasters and Labour Exploitation Authority (GLAA) and Justice and Care were also in attendance.

Detective Inspector Scott Wilson from Dumfries CID said: “Human trafficking and modern slavery are happening in our communities and this operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling this issue.

“We work closely with our partners to identify situations where this criminality is taking place and provide appropriate support to victims. However we cannot do this alone, and it is important that we increase awareness of the warning signs so that reporting can increase.

“Signs that someone could be being exploited at work can include being paid no legal wage and having little or no money, living in poor conditions and having their time on and off duty controlled by their employers.

“If you suspect modern slavery is happening in your community it is vital that you report this and enable us to protect victims and take action against those responsible for this exploitation.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Pair convicted of human trafficking offences

A woman and man have been convicted of human trafficking offences in Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh.

Mananchaya Wanitthanawet, 40 and Cameron Wilson, 30, were convicted at the High Court in Dundee on Thursday, 22 August, 2024.

They are due to be sentenced at a later date.

The offences took place between November, 2019 and December, 2020.

Detective Inspector Simon Murray said: “Human trafficking has no place in Scotland.

“We will continue target criminals who abuse, control and exploit people, working with partners nationally and internationally to bring offenders to justice, and to raise public awareness to help identify victims and ensure they get the support they need.

“People within local communities are often the first to spot when someone may be trafficked or is being exploited.

“If you have concerns, or information, please report this to us on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 so we can investigate and take action.”

‘Walk for Freedom’ silent protest walk

Sat 14 October – organised by Broughton High School

Tragically the buying and selling of humans still takes place in our world; in our city. Over 50 million people are modern day slaves; 126,000 in the UK.

The ‘Walk for Freedom’ is a silent protest walk to raise awareness of human trafficking and it takes place in Edinburgh on Saturday the 14th October 2 -3.30pm.

It is being organised by local school students from Broughton High School.

The starting point is St John’s Episcopal Church, bottom of Lothian Road. Please register below and wear black on the day.

https://www.a21.org//shop-event.php?intid=3605

Raising awareness of Human Trafficking by taking part in a Walk for Freedom.

Take local action on Saturday 14th October in Edinburgh. 2 -3.30pm.

Be part of a global solution.

Human Trafficking is the abuse of children, women, and men for their bodies and labour. It’s modern-day slavery. Worldwide the figure is 50 million. This isn’t an international problem. There are people trafficked in Scotland, in Edinburgh. The commonly accepted figure for the UK is around 136,000 people although this is thought to be a conservative estimate.

On Saturday, October 14, 2023, thousands of people will hit the streets in hundreds of cities across the globe to walk in a single file line–holding posters and handing out flyers–to reach their city and raise awareness about human trafficking and how to end it. Not only this, but educating leaders, neighbours, and friends, empowering them to recognise human trafficking and report it.

Please come to join us in Edinburgh on Saturday 14th October from 2pm -3.30pm. Starting point St John’s Church – 1A Lothian Road.

We will walk along the Grassmarket, down Mound and back to St John’s.

Kirsty Thomson, organiser and teacher at Broughton High School, said: ‘By walking with us, you are standing in solidarity with survivors, raising your voice for the world we need to see, and creating a path toward lasting change.

“As we walk along Princes’ Street we give a voice to those enslaved – those that have no voice. Without your involvement, your community may remain unaware of the exploitation happening close to home. But you have the power to change that!

“Our message can’t be ignored: Slavery still exists but we will abolish it.
Together. Come join us.”

Registration required: https://www.a21.org//shop-event.php?intid=3605

Tragically the buying and selling of humans still takes place in our world; in our city. Over 50 million people are modern day slaves; 126,000 in the UK. The ‘Walk for Freedom’ is a silent protest walk to raise awareness of human trafficking and it takes place in Edinburgh on Saturday the 14th October 2pm-3pm. It is being organised by local school students from Broughton High School. 

The starting point is St John’s Episcopal Church, bottom of Lothian Road. Please register below and wear black on the day. 

https://www.a21.org//shop-event.php?intid=3605

Four jailed for human trafficking

Four people were jailed for trafficking offences at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.

Jagpal Singh (52) was sentenced to 10 years, Donglin Zhang (48) was sentenced to 8 years, Vlassis Ntaoulias (33) was sentenced to 7 years and Boonsong Wannas (62) was sentenced to six years and four months.

All four were previously convicted of human trafficking and brothel keeping offences.

Detective Superintendent Donna Duffy, in charge of Glasgow’s Human Trafficking Unit said: “I welcome the sentencing today. Human trafficking is a despicable crime that has an unmeasurable long term impact on its victims.

“We are committed to working alongside partners to tackle human trafficking and we will work to identify those responsible and protect their victims.

“I would like to thank all our partners including Home Office Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations.

“I would continue to encourage members of the community to contact us if they have any concerns as they are vital to helping us identify those involved.”

Police Scotland: Break the chain of labour exploitation

Businesses across Scotland, here and now, are directly, or indirectly, involved in the exploitation of workers. Labour exploitation is a very serious criminal offence. Victims suffer psychologically, physically, emotionally and financially.

Labour exploitation takes many forms. Wages are deducted at source for obscure or unjustifiable reasons. People are forced – through threats, intimidation and violence – to work long hours with few or no breaks. Workers’ ability to move between employers is restricted or completely controlled. They are forced to work without appropriate equipment in potentially dangerous situations. Employment rules are ignored, rules that other legitimate businesses have to follow by law.

Business owners, managers, employees – and the wider public – all have a role to play in reducing, and ultimately ending, labour exploitation. The information here is designed to give you the tools to identify and act upon the signs of exploitation and abuse in the workplace.

Labour exploitation occurs in many different industries, in every part of the country. But sectors regarded as being particularly at risk include farming, fishing, food processing, packaging and fulfilment. Police Scotland saw a 135% increase in labour exploitation case referrals in 2019.

Victims of exploitation can be Scottish nationals or workers from elsewhere in the UK and other countries. Research suggests that labour exploitation is a significantly under-reported crime.

Labour exploitation is a form of modern slavery. The primary motivation of offenders is financial gain, regardless of the human cost to victims.

Any business can be affected, although those with high ongoing or seasonal labour needs will always be at higher risk. It’s the responsibility of owners, managers and employees to make sure their business does not become involved in labour exploitation, either intentionally or through poor practice.

Ending workplace exploitation isn’t just the responsibility of business owners and employees. We ask you to play your part by:

  • Staying alert
  • Learning to recognise the signs of exploitation and abuse
  • Reporting suspicions to police
  • Reporting known cases of abuse to police.

Arrests in Edinburgh and Glasgow after human trafficking operation

An intelligence led operation saw officers from Greater Glasgow Human Trafficking Unit execute three search warrants in Glasgow, along with a search warrant executed in Edinburgh on Monday (15 February 2021).

Detective Inspector Mark McLennan of Greater Glasgow CID said: “Officers carried out search warrants at addresses in Denniston, Maryhill and Thornliebank in Glasgow and the Canongate area of Edinburgh.

“A 28-year-old woman and two men aged 32 and 45 were arrested in Glasgow and charged in connection with human trafficking and sexual exploitation. All three were expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday. A 31-year-old man was also reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

“We worked closely with Edinburgh City, National Human Trafficking Unit and Home Office Immigration Enforcement Crime and Financial Investigation Scotland as part of this operation.”

British Embassy Warsaw launches ‘Don’t Become a Victim of Modern Slavery’ campaign

British Embassy Warsaw is taking part in a campaign aimed at informing about the risks of becoming a victim of modern slavery:

British Embassy Warsaw, together with local partners in Poland (Ministry of Interior and Administration, Police, Border Guard and other NGOs), as well as with the support of some of the biggest local job advertising sites, has prepared a campaign aimed at informing about the risks of becoming the victim of modern slavery.

The campaign is focused on the issue of forced labour.

With the increasing uncertainty of the labour market, caused by the current pandemic, and with potentially more people seeking quick employment, there is a risk that this situation will be taken advantage of by criminal groups recruiting people for forced labour.

This risk is particularly relevant in the situation of those seeking employment abroad.

Our campaign informs how to safely look for employment, how to avoid being taken advantage of, and who to contact if you need help.

Agencies combine to bring human traffickers to court

Four people have been charged as part of a joint operation to tackle human trafficking across the East and West of Scotland.

Led by detectives from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit, Operation Risbalit saw enforcement activity take place at six premises in Alloa, Inverkeithing, Cowdenbeath and Glasgow.

As a result, three men aged 41, 24 and 23 were arrested and charged along with a 25-year-old woman. All were scheduled to appear at Falkirk and Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday in connection with human trafficking offences.

Staff from a range of agencies worked together to bring the case to court. Police Scotland’s East Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit and Financial Investigation Unit, as well as key partners from Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI); Edinburgh Social Work; National Human Trafficking Unit; National Crime Agency; BTP; Scotrail; Network Rail and COPFS played vital roles in evidence gathering and resourcing the enforcement process.

In addition to the targeted arrests, visits were carried out at businesses in Bathgate, Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh and Stirling. These were led by Immigration Enforcement and supported by officers from Police Scotland.

Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “Extensive inquiries were undertaken by Police Scotland and supported by a number of other agencies and this culminated in the arrest of four people, who have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the officers and partners involved in this operation for their support and dedication throughout.

“Identifying human trafficking and supporting victims of such offences is a top priority for Police Scotland. Operation Risbalit is an Edinburgh-led inquiry, but our officers will continue to liaise with key counterparts both nationally within Scotland and the UK.

“I want the public to be assured that any report of human trafficking will be treated with the utmost seriousness and investigated thoroughly to bring perpetrators to justice.

“If you have any concerns that someone in your community may have been trafficked, or if you are a victim of this crime and wish to report it to police, please contact us via 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”