A new multi-agency group in Hertfordshire has been formed as part of a push to help frontline staff identify and tackle modern slavery.

Backed by the Prime Minister, the group was created at a conference held last week and organised by the Shiva Foundation and Hertfordshire County Council, along with the Police Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire and the Hertfordshire Constabulary.

The new partnership will join up efforts to tackle human trafficking and ensure effective victim support by encouraging members to share knowledge and best practice.

The aim is to ensure frontline services personnel are clear about how to respond to modern slavery, as well as what preventative measures they can put into practice.

The Government estimates there are between 10,000 and 13,000 victims of modern slavery in the UK. This includes forced labour, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation.

One of the outcomes from the conference was a plan to develop new referral pathways for victims of modern slavery. These will feed into the existing National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

The NRM is a framework for identifying victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support. It is also the mechanism through which the Modern Slavery Human Trafficking Unit (MSHTU) collect data about victims.

New data shows a 17% increase in referrals made to the NRM in 2016 when compared with 2015.

‘The Hertfordshire conference demonstrated how committed the region’s community is to tackling modern slavery,’ said Cllr Meenal Sachdev, director of Shiva Foundation and councillor for Hertsmere.

‘I emphasised the importance of bringing organisations out of their silos and working together to combat this issue, and I believe the Hertfordshire partnership we have established will bring that ethos to life.

‘By sharing intelligence and expertise, we can ensure the statutory groups on the frontline are equipped to take action against criminals and support those who may be at risk. Partnering with key groups on a local level will help drive real change.’

Sue Darker, lead officer for safeguarding at Hertfordshire County Council, said: ‘The Modern Slavery Conference was a great opportunity to share knowledge and expertise, to showcase our great working relationships and to promote Hertfordshire as a county that is forward thinking in its approach to protecting and caring for those who may have been exploited or are currently at risk of being abused or neglected.’

Read our feature on how councils can tackle modern slavery with supply chain transparency.