Community safety

Modern slavery and human trafficking

Great Yarmouth Borough Council is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all its operations and supply chains. This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and outlines the steps taken to identify, prevent, and address risks of slavery and trafficking.

Tackling modern slavery in the Great Yarmouth Borough

The Council recognises that modern slavery and human trafficking are serious crimes that exploit the most vulnerable people in our communities. These forms of abuse can occur in many settings - including forced labour, domestic servitude, criminal exploitation, and sexual exploitation - and often remain hidden in plain sight. As a coastal borough with a diverse population, seasonal industries, and a mix of urban and rural areas, Great Yarmouth is not immune to these risks.

Our commitment

The Council is committed to working proactively with local partners, statutory agencies, businesses, and the voluntary sector to identify, prevent, and respond to modern slavery. Through training, awareness‑raising, safeguarding practices, and robust reporting pathways, we aim to protect victims, disrupt perpetrators, and support a coordinated community response.

By strengthening vigilance, improving early identification, and ensuring that all staff and residents understand the signs of exploitation, Great Yarmouth Borough Council seeks to uphold the safety, dignity, and rights of every person within the borough.

There are various industries that you may encounter modern slavery in and these include:

nail bars, hand washes and construction sites
domestic settings (live-in help or nannies)
agricultural or food processing sectors
county lines and criminal exploitation

Spotting the signs

People who are victims of modern slavery may:

live in over-crowded property or have poor living conditions
show signs of physical or mental abuse or fear
they may not have access to passports or other personal identification documents
be unwilling or unable to engage with strangers or authorities

If you think that someone may be a victim of modern slavery, please call the modern slavery helpline: 08000 121 700.

Always call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.