Sewell on the go joins with PCC to raise awareness of modern slavery

A campaign by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office and the Humber Modern Slavery Partnership is being supported by Sewell on the go.

Earlier this month, Police and Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter launched car stickers to raise awareness that some people are being exploited financially by their employers or in exteme cases, are the victims of human trafficking.

The stickers highlight the telephone number and website of the Modern Slavery Helpline where suspicions can be reported and are printed in three different languages.

This week, Sewell on the go has agreed to distribute the stickers through their 13 fuel and convenience stores across Hull and East Yorkshire, as well as displaying posters and information on notice boards and media screens in store.

Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter said: “Modern slavery is happening right now across our area. Vulnerable individuals from across the world are being enticed to come to the UK by criminal gangs on the promise of employment and better standards of living. Although victims could be of any nationality, Eastern European nationals are amongst those most commonly identified in the Humberside region.

“Only when they arrive do they find out the reality, being paid wages far below the minimum legal standard, if they are paid at all, with the gangmasters exploiting them for profit. Our campaign is to highlight the fact modern slavery is a reality, how people can spot the signs and report it. Humberside Police are already doing excellent work to uncover cases of modern slavery and prosecute those responsible but we all have a part to play.

“I’m delighted Sewell on the go has agreed to support the campaign and help to raise awareness of this crime and how to prevent it.”

Patrick Sewell, Managing Director of Sewell on the go, said: “This is clearly a very important matter which warrants more profile and awareness, and we’re pleased to support this campaign locally.

“I’m also overtly aware of the issues nationally through my role as Chairman of the Association of Convenience Stores and I hope this can be a catalyst for other retailers elsewhere in the country to get behind the campaign.”

Alicia Kidd, Vice Chair of the Humber Modern Slavery Partnership said: “We've seen a rise in the number of people identified as potential victims of modern slavery in the Humberside region over the past year and a concerted effort has been made to ensure front line staff are trained to deal with these situations.

“Our focus is now moving on to encouraging members of the public to get involved. With these car stickers we're hoping not only to encourage people to use the modern slavery helpline if they see something suspicious, but to open up conversations on what modern slavery is and where it might be happening.”

For a full list of Sewell on the go stores visit: https://sewellonthego.co.uk/stores/

For more information on Modern Slavery locally visit www.humberantislave.com/