A member of the public has had concerns in our area and reported it, he thought that the Police telephone operator was somewhat dismissive, however reading below that may not be the case.
Officers have visited 15 hand car washes across the county in the last three weeks as part of efforts to combat modern slavery.
They were joined by partners from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the Environment Agency as they checked on working conditions and the welfare of staff.
Although most hand car washes are legitimate businesses, some exploit workers to maximise profits.
Signs of modern slavery relevant to car washes include people:
- seeming overly tired, withdrawn or avoiding eye contact
- looking unkempt or showing signs of physical abuse
- appearing fearful or intimidated by management
- having a lack of protective equipment
If you use hand car washes, please know the signs of modern slavery to look out for and report any concerns – no matter how insignificant they may seem. We would much rather discovery everything is legitimate than have someone trapped in a desperate situation.
For more information on modern slavery or to make a report, visit our website.
Thank you for your support.
Kind regards,
Tim Goddard
Communications officer
