Week of operations targeting exploitation in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit (MHSTU) conducted a week of activities to tackle modern slavery and exploitation in the county.

The operations took place between 21 and 25 October after intelligence was received relating to people potentially being sexually exploited, leading to visits to addresses in Hemel Hempstead, Hatfield and Watford.

The MSHTU, working with local partners and Neighbourhood Policing and Scorpions teams, attended 14 addresses confirmed as being used by sex workers, with almost thirty suspected sex workers being spoken to during the week. Officers were satisfied that all of the people spoken to were not subject to exploitation or trafficking. They were all given safeguarding advice and signposted to support services

Immigration checks were also conducted on all those found at the properties and one person was dealt with for immigration offences. The addresses will continue to be monitored by local council housing teams to ensure they are not being used for sex work in future.

One nail bar in Hemel Hempstead was also visited during the week, where three people were found to be in the country illegally, one of whom was arrested for immigration offences, but no trafficking or exploitation concerns were identified.

During the operations a triage centre was set up at the Vineyard Church, in St Albans, in case any victims were identified and needed further support and rehousing.

Detective Sergeant Carmine Zanfardino, from the MSHTU, said: “Exploitation is a serious and often hidden crime which continues to affect people across the UK.

“This operation was intelligence led and whilst it is often difficult to recognise exploitation, we need people to be aware of the signs that someone is being exploited and report their suspicions. Whilst not all sex workers are victims of exploitation, many are vulnerable and are more at risk of exploitation by criminal gangs.

“I’d like to thank our council and immigration partners, and the Vineyard Church, for the assistance they provided during the operation.”

Anyone with concerns about human trafficking or modern slavery should call police via 101 or the national Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700. In an emergency call 999. The Beacon hotline 03000 11 55 55 is open from Monday to Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 9am-5pm.