HAMPSHIRE police have been awarded tens of thousands of pounds for an anti trafficking partnership.

Police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Simon Hayes, has assigned £70,000 towards a new project for the identification of modern slavery and offering support to victims.

Mr Hayes said: “I am investing in this project in response to the Government’s intention that the UK leads the global fight against modern slavery.

“Through funding and implementing the AntiTrafficking Partnership, we are locally addressing this largely hidden problem.

This project will work to identify and disrupt criminals involved in human trafficking and ensure the safety of victims.”

Partnership co-ordinator, Detective Superintendent Dick Pearson, said: “Modern slavery and human trafficking destroys lives and damages communities.

“We know that it affects communities across the world as well as in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The Anti-Trafficking Partnership is an important step in bringing together the various agencies and professionals across the region to help us better respond to the issues.”

The project is still in the early stages of development but police officers involved plan to work with agencies like Barnados, British Red Cross, the Department of Work and Pensions, Immigration, NHS and the Salvation Army to investigate trafficking allegations.

DS Pearson added: “We are working together to develop the best interagency response we can so that survivors of this criminality are properly supported and we can continue to prevent offending and prosecute offenders.

“Both human trafficking and modern slavery are closer than you might think but often remain hidden. That’s why everyone has a part to play in looking beneath the surface and reporting any concerns or suspicions.”