NOVEMBER 2019 ISSUE 057
www.winchestertoday.co.uk
THE SIGNS ARE ALWAYS THERE Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office warning over the scourge of modern slavery By KEVIN GOVER News Editor HAMPSHIRE’S focus on modern-day slavery a couple of weeks ago could not have come at a more appropriate moment – as within days of that happening came the discovery of the bodies of 39 people in a refrigerated truck in Essex. Those people discovered are believed to have become involved at the wrong end of a human trafficking operation which meant they would end up working here for next-to-nothing to be able to pay off their debts. Alan Hagger (pictured) is Chair of the Modern Slavery Partnership across Hampshire, and works at the Police and
Crime Commissioner’s Office here in Winchester. He told Winchester Today that we should all be concerned: “The signs are there. Maybe you can see it at a car wash, maybe a nail bar (as mentioned by the families of the victims that operations like that would be where they end up). The signs are all there. You need to ask yourself ‘how are they doing this so cheaply’ – and when you look at that and the people there you can piece things together. “We should not be surprised at all that this is happening right on our doorstep. In fact, we identified 144 potential victims of slavery across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in 2018. But I don’t even think we know the true scale of
It touches all of our lives
modern day slavery.” Alan says we may not even realise what’s happening around us. “It touches all of our lives. Look at the people. They may not engage with you or look you in the eye. Their clothes may not seem right. Are they being allowed out on their own? By working together, recognising the signs and reporting concerns, we can piece things together. But it’s not just other countries we need to look out for, as much of it involves people right here within the United Kingdom. We can build a better intelligence picture, enable the pursuit of the criminals involved and the safeguarding of victims.”
NO SLEIGH REQUIRED! Tickets have already been selling fast to the highly anticipated Naomi House & Jacksplace Santa Fun Run on Sunday 1st December in Winchester High Street. This is the eleventh year the hospice charity has hosted the popular event, which features hundreds of people taking to the streets of Winchester with family and friends, dressed in shiny red Santa Claus suits, to run a 5k fun run. Hurry to secure one of the remaining tickets on the Naomi House website – £20 for adults and £15 for children – which includes a jolly red Santa suit to wear, a celebratory medal and fundraising support. www.naomihouse.org.uk/ santa-fun-run
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GENERAL ELECTIONFREE EDITION!
Your guide to the Film Fest Centre pages
ENB’s portrayal of Cinderella is dazzling page 13
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