The police ask for the assistance of the citizens
A woman cleaning the windows of her house. This is rather the obvious answer that would be given by those who should answer what they see in the photo above. But the British Police, and in particular Avon and Somerset, insist that perhaps something else may be hiding this seemingly innocent moment.
With this image, the authorities chose to raise public awareness of the issue of domestic slavery and labor exploitation of modern slaves. Using the hashtag #TellUsWhatYouSee, the police are asking for the help of the citizens to deal with the phenomenon that seems to be gaining momentum.
"If you see someone who is constantly locked in a house, constantly doing chores and never going out alone, you may see a victim of domestic slavery or exploitation," police said. It is a kind of modern slavery, difficult to detect as victims rarely complain and are blackmailed in various ways, and the authorities ask people to report any signs.
According to the announcement, he is forced to work in private households and is usually not paid at all or receives a minimum wage. Victims live very isolated lives with little or no freedom. They often sleep on a mattress on the floor in an open part of the house. The National Crime Service reported that 5145 potential victims were reported in reports made in 2017.
A police spokesman said: "We rely heavily on the public to have our eyes and ears, to be where we can not always be. The information we get from the public could be the missing piece of the puzzle or something important in a case. "Modern slavery is happening all over the UK and we need your help to protect some of society's most vulnerable people, who very often have no voice."
A few days ago, a British couple was arrested for holding a Polish man hostage in his garden house for 4 years. The couple is accused of forcing the man to work in exchange for expired food.