In 2018, the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) commissioned support for the creation and development of a pilot Anti-Slavery Network.
The Network’s purpose was to bring together key partners to collectively and collaboratively prevent, identify, disrupt and eradicate Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery in all its forms.
The network has seen key partners come together on a regular basis to collaborate and take this high priority agenda forward. An example includes the creation of a tees-wide Victim Care Pathway which agencies can follow should they come into contact with a victim of such crime.
Funding for this support came to an end on 31 March 2020. However the benefits of having such a partnership (including an independent chair with subject matter expertise) has been acknowledged by key partners.
The PCC, Hartlepool Council, Middlesbrough Council, Redcar and Cleveland Council and Stockton on Tees Borough Council wish to extend the current contractural arrangements for a further 12 months. Each partner -including the PCC- will pay a contribution of £4,000 to ensure further development of the network over the next 12 months.
This will include the creation of a Cleveland-wide Modern Slavery Strategy and associated action plan. An appraisal for future service provision of the Anti-Slavery Network will take place during 2020/21 for the next financial year.
Decision 2020-00212825 – Extension to Anti-slavery Network (application, 278kB)