A mobile exhibition designed to raise public awareness of modern slavery will tour several locations across Wirral this Saturday, 27th September. The 'Freedom Bus', a specially branded double-decker, will serve as an information point to help residents identify the signs of exploitation and understand how to report concerns.
The initiative, supported by the Pan-Lancashire Anti-Slavery Partnership and local authorities, aims to bring a hidden issue into the open. Representatives from Wirral Council and partner organisations will be on board to engage with the public at seven scheduled stops throughout the day.
Key Takeaways
- The 'Freedom Bus' will visit Wirral on Saturday, 27th September, to educate the public on modern slavery.
- The bus will make seven stops in locations including Heswall, Noctorum, Beechwood, Woodchurch, Liscard, New Brighton, and Seacombe.
- The campaign promotes the national Modern Slavery Helpline as the primary channel for reporting concerns.
- Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, highlighted the public's crucial role in identifying potential victims.
Full Wirral Tour Schedule
The Freedom Bus will follow a specific route across Wirral, stopping at key community locations to maximise public engagement. Residents are encouraged to visit the mobile exhibition during its stop in their area.
The planned itinerary for Saturday, 27th September is as follows:
- 11:00 am: Heswall - Parking at the fire station on Telegraph Road for a 20-minute stop.
- 11:50 am: Noctorum - St Andrew’s Church on Moorfields Avenue.
- 12:40 pm: Beechwood - Near the shops on Fender Way.
- 1:10 pm: Woodchurch - Hoole Road.
- 1:50 pm: Liscard - Wallasey Road, near the Duke of Wellington pub.
- 2:25 pm: New Brighton - Outside Morrisons on Kings Parade.
- 3:00 pm: Seacombe - Brighton Street, between Elmswood Road and Riversdale Road.
Purpose of the Awareness Campaign
The Freedom Bus is a mobile information centre provided by the Pan-Lancashire Anti-Slavery Partnership. Its exterior is covered with anti-slavery messages and prominently features the contact details for the national Modern Slavery Helpline.
The primary goal of the tour is to educate the public on how to recognise the warning signs of modern slavery and human trafficking. By making information accessible in local communities, the campaign hopes to increase the number of reports made to authorities.
What is Modern Slavery?
Modern slavery is a serious crime that involves the exploitation of individuals for personal or commercial gain. It can take many forms, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and criminal exploitation. Victims are often hidden in plain sight in sectors like car washes, nail bars, agriculture, and construction.
A Call for Public Vigilance
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, stressed the importance of community involvement in tackling this crime. She highlighted that while thousands of people are believed to be victims in the UK, very few cases are officially reported.
“The public play a vital role in the fight against slavery and trafficking. By acting as the police’s eyes and ears, they can help to spot the warning signs of someone being exploited,” stated Commissioner Spurrell.
She explained that raising public awareness is key to changing this disparity and bringing more cases to the attention of police and support organisations.
“The Freedom Bus is a great way for driving awareness and bringing this hidden issue into the open, and I am so pleased that it will be covering the whole of Merseyside for the first time,” she added.
How to Spot the Signs and Report Concerns
The campaign aims to equip people with the knowledge to identify potential victims. While signs can vary, some common indicators of modern slavery may include:
- Appearance: An individual may appear malnourished, unkempt, or show signs of physical injury.
- Isolation: They may seem withdrawn, avoid eye contact, or be accompanied by someone who controls their movements and conversations.
- Living Conditions: Victims might live in overcrowded, dirty, and unsafe accommodation.
- Lack of Control: They may not have possession of their own passport, identification, or money, and may have little freedom of movement.
- Unusual Work Hours: They could be working excessively long hours for little or no pay.
How to Report Modern Slavery
If you suspect someone is a victim of modern slavery, you are urged not to confront them or their potential exploiters directly. Instead, contact the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 for confidential advice. In an emergency, always call 999.
Commissioner Spurrell concluded with a strong appeal to the public: “I encourage everyone to learn how to spot the signs of exploitation, doing so could help save an innocent victim's life from years of emotional, physical, and financial suffering. Even if you’re unsure, the helpline provides confidential advice and any information you can provide will help to stamp out slavery for good.”