VULNERABLE people in Southend are being promised food and a roof over their heads in exchange for work, before being threatened if they attempt to escape exploitation.

Dan Pratt, founder of Southend Against Modern Slavery, fears there are several hundred potential victims in the seaside town.

The campaigner revealed victims are often trapped, with some even “sticking around for years” after receiving threats if they attempt to leave.

Victims are rarely seen or heard and are unable to escape, according to Southend Council, which is working with SAMS Partnership and Essex Police to stamp out the issue.

Home Office data revealed a rise in modern slavery cases in Essex, with 265 recorded in 2020, 38 more than the previous year.

Mr Pratt, said: “I was at another charity called 57 West, which works with the homeless and rough sleepers in the area.

“We came across people who were assured jobs, accommodation and food in exchange for labour and at the time had nothing, so thought they were getting a good offer.

“They’d work long hours and weren’t paid the wages, but when they tried to leave they would be threatened or their families would be threatened.

“That’s why I set up SAMS, looking at how we can tackle exploitation in Southend.

“It could be things like criminal exploitation, with kids being recruited to deal drugs as part of county lines.

“The most shocking thing to me is the inhumanity of these exploiters.

“They could be looking for someone who has no support system around them - for example the homeless who may not have family - or looking to exploit someone’s poverty.”

Echo:

While Daniel Nelson believes prostitution is “spiking up again” in Southend.

The Southchurch ward councillor, said: “Many of them are victims themselves. For these women it’s their entire lives impacted.

“I’ve had quite a few concerned residents get in touch, and I can understand it’s incredibly unpleasant for them to see.”

A person is trafficked if they are brought to, or moved around, a country by others and forced into a life of labour or sexual exploitation.

With today marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, hard-hitting artwork and posters have been plastered at Southend Central and Southend Victoria train stations.

Read more:

Coastguard crews rush to help pregnant woman in Southend waters during 3am rescue

BMW seized by police after driver found be cruising streets without insurance

It's hoped the paintings will highlight how exploitation can occur in relation to debt bondage, forced labour, sexual and criminal exploitation and domestic servitude.

The SAMS partnership, Project 49 and artist Nik Vaughn all worked together on the project to raise awareness of the issue.

While the day will also see the council and partners share important messages and videos across social media about how you can help spot the signs which are often hidden, which makes it very hard to see victims around us.

Signs of exploitation include those who are coerced, controlled, abused, isolated, in debt, malnourished, dehumanised, restricted, anxious or dependent.

Echo:

Inspector Paul Hogben, from Essex Police, said: “People trafficking can take many forms including women and children being moved from one place to another for the purposes of prostitution, people being moved around by organised crime groups to tend to cannabis cultivations, children being moved around the country to deal drugs for county lines, and people being moved around and forced to complete manual labour.

"These vulnerable people are often forced to live in horrendous conditions and routinely subject to threats and violence.

“As awareness spreads, we are seeing increasing reports of people trafficking. There are a number of Government agencies and charities who can support victims and prosecute offenders.

"Victims are often unable or too scared to report this incredibly impactive crime, so we rely heavily on people seeing the signs and reporting suspected trafficking and modern slavery.”

Martin Terry, cabinet member for public protection, added: “People trafficking and modern slavery is a global problem but we want to do all we can in Southend to highlight the issue and stop it happening in our town.

"If people know what modern slavery is and what exploitation looks like, what the signs are, then it is easier for people to report it. Often those trapped in these situations are the least able to raise the alarm, so we need our community to be vigilant and report any concerns they may have.”

Signing up to a zero-tolerance approach to modern-day slavery, Southend Council has committed to:

  • Deliver a programme of training and awareness raising for the workforce, partner agencies and third sector organisations.
  • Promoting national campaigns to help raise awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking.
  • Reviewing, and refreshing where applicable, the adult safeguarding referral pathway to better identify and support potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.
  • Enhance data and intelligence gathering across partners to help identity and support potential victims, as well as inform disruption activities.

To reach the Modern Slavery Helpline, call 08000 121 700.