Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. Traffickers and slave drivers coerce, deceive and force individuals against their will into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.

Certain businesses must publish an annual statement on the steps taken to eliminate slavery and human trafficking in their business and supply chains (The Modern Slavery Act 2015).

The council's Modern Slavery Statement outlines the Council's work to prevent modern slavery and protect those at risk. The Council will consider modern slavery in procurement, ensuring that contractors and third parties have policies in place and adhere to the law and their responsibilities.

The Council will:

• Implement the ten steps of the Charter Against Modern Slavery as agreed by Council in July 2018
• Protect vulnerable people from exploitation and increasing awareness of and resilience against this crime by strengthen safeguarding processes
• Reduce the harm caused by modern slavery through improved victim identification, support and intervention
• Identify individuals and Organised Crime Groups involved in modern slavery, ensuring they are managed, prosecuted and disrupt individuals and groups responsible for modern slavery
• Provide information to help professional and the public recognise and act on Modern Slavery

For more information and how to report crimes of modern slavery - see the SaferMK Modern Day Slavery information.