In an effort to combat modern slavery and human trafficking, Wiltshire Police, in collaboration with the Medaille Trust, has undertaken Operation Aidant, providing support and assistance to 18 suspected sex workers in Swindon.
Operation Aidant is a nationwide initiative aimed at addressing the harrowing issues of modern slavery and human trafficking, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Over the course of three weeks, officers, accompanied by representatives from the Medaille Trust, a charity dedicated to combating modern slavery, visited eight properties in Swindon where suspicions arose regarding sex work activities.
The aim was to proactively address the safety and concerns of adults who are sex working and being exploited to do so often by those who force adults and sometimes children into modern slavery. Those same people are often victims of human trafficking too. Officers were keen to learn how exploited sex workers are recruited by criminal groups in order to tackle this organised criminal activity.
Highlighting the collaborative efforts of the Sentinel Team with the Medaille Trust and other local partners in Swindon and Wiltshire to protect and safeguard vulnerable individuals within the community, Detective Inspector Eirin Martin said, “Sex workers are hidden within our community, and we want to provide them with support and help to get the services they need to stop exploitation happening within our community.”
To encourage community involvement, she urged individuals to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities or signs of exploitation, “you can help us by being our eyes and ears and report information that doesn’t feel right or where you feel exploitation is happening, and together we can stop exploitation” she said.
Philip Wilkinson, Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), commented on the importance of coordinated efforts to protect those who often remain unseen victims of exploitation. He urged the public to report any suspicions related to modern slavery or human trafficking, as this information forms a critical part of future operations.
Wilkinson stated, “Sex workers are often dehumanised by their exploiters, have their independence stripped, and made to feel worthless. By taking this approach, and working with the Medaille Trust, Wiltshire Police can build an all-important connection with the victim and help them access the support services they need to help them out of exploitation.”
Marcus Dawson, Director of Police and Justice Partnerships at the Medaille Trust, expressed gratitude for the partnership with Wiltshire Police and underscored the importance of a collaborative, multi-agency approach to safeguarding vulnerable individuals. He noted that survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking often struggle to engage with law enforcement, and the Medaille Trust is there to provide support and protection to survivors nationwide.
If you suspect modern slavery or human trafficking is occurring in your area, you are urged to report any suspicious incidents to the police via 101 or their website. Additionally, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously at 0800 555 111.
For more information on sex worker safety, Wiltshire Police offers guidance on their website.
