Bring more traffickers to justice, UK anti-slavery chief urges
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Police and prosecutors in Britain are not bringing enough human traffickers to justice, the country’s anti-slavery commissioner said on Thursday amid concerns that the coronavirus pandemic is preventing many victims from being identified or seeking help. Modern slavery prosecutions have fallen during the last year despite a rise in police operations […]
Back whistleblowers to stop abuses, says UK anti-slavery tsar after Boohoo fallout
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Britain’s efforts to stop labour exploitation in the local supply chains of fashion brands such as Boohoo will only succeed if workers are encouraged to report abuses without fear of retaliation, its anti-slavery tsar said this week. Online fast fashion retailer Boohoo this week said it was investigating its supply chain […]
Traffickers could profit when UK eases lockdown, anti-slavery chief warns
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Britain must be vigilant against human traffickers when it eases the coronavirus lockdown, the country’s anti-slavery chief said, warning of potential exploitation in industries such as hospitality that will be in a rush to recruit new workers. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to present this week a possible way out […]
Suspected slavery surges in UK with a record 10,000 reports
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation A record 10,627 suspected slaves were referred to the British government for help in 2019, official data showed on Thursday, up by 52 per cent in a year, amid fears coronavirus will worsen abuse. Anti-slavery groups called for more action to help people at risk of exploitation and trafficking, amid a […]
UK urged to stop human traffickers exploiting Brexit uncertainty
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Britain must ensure human traffickers do not exploit uncertainty surrounding Brexit, from its future migration policy to cooperation with European law enforcement agencies, the nation’s anti-slavery commissioner said on Friday. Sara Thornton said Britain would need to arrange new partnerships across Europe to bring traffickers to justice and “stress test” migration […]
Too many modern slaves left in limbo, warns new UK anti-slavery chief
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation Britain must improve its handling of thousands of suspected modern slaves whose lives are “on hold” as they wait to learn if they will be recognised as victims and granted extra support, the country’s new independent anti-slavery commissioner said. A record 7,000 possible slavery victims were identified last year – up a […]
Companies must use buying power to root out slavery, says UK official
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation Companies that find their products are being made using slave labour should work with suppliers to stop the abuse rather than focusing on protecting their reputations, Britain’s anti-slavery commissioner said on Monday. Sara Thornton said many people used in forced labour were highly vulnerable and could be left with “absolutely nothing” if […]
UK appoints top cop as new anti-slavery chief after criticism over delay
Thomson Reuters Foundation One of Britain’s most senior police officers was on Friday appointed the country’s new anti-slavery chief, about 10 months after the inaugural commissioner resigned expressing frustration about government interference in his role. Sara Thornton, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council since 2015, will take up the position on a three-year contract […]
UK set to appoint top cop as new anti-slavery chief – media
Thomson Reuters Foundation One of Britain’s most senior police officers is set to be appointed the country’s new anti-slavery chief almost nine months after the inaugural commissioner resigned citing government interference, the Times newspaper said on Sunday. Sara Thornton, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council since 2015, will take up the role later this […]