Police Scotland are conducting visits to rural businesses in Dumfries and Galloway to raise awareness of an increased risk of trafficking and exploitation.
A Spokesperson for D&G police Division stated “We often associate trafficking with cities and urban areas where it’s easier to hide victims of trafficking in plain sight. But trafficking happens across all communities, both urban and rural.
The number of people being trafficked into and around Scotland has increased significantly and one of the biggest issues we are seeing in Scotland in relation to trafficking is labour exploitation.
Potential victims of trafficking are vulnerable. They may be here illegally, they may not speak our language or they may be people who have no other choice but to put themselves at risk of exploitation by taking whatever work they can get.
Traffickers are opportunists and they will look for chances to exploit people and to make money, regardless of lockdown or the risks presented by coronavirus.
And we believe this may include targeting the agriculture, fisheries and food sectors, where there is a higher demand for labour at this time of year.This is why it is important that the food production and processing businesses, farmers and fisheries, are at the forefront of identifying and tackling exploitation within their sector.
From Saturday 13th June to Saturday 27th June local officers in Dumfries and Galloway will be visiting premises and engaging with employers in the farming, food production and processing industries, to raise awareness of trafficking and how the industry can support us in tackling the traffickers.
If you are concerned that someone may be a victim of trafficking or exploitation, then please contact Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively you can contact the Modern Slavery helpline on 08000 121 700 or online via their website at
https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/
Or if you would rather report anonymously, phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
