Workers with the wrong equipment or living at the site are among the signs of suspected modern slavery to look out for at hand car washes, according to an expert.
Darryl Dixon, director of strategy at the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the agency which investigates worker exploitation, said while the signs may not necessarily be modern slavery offences, reporting them can help with investigations.
Mr Dixon was speaking to the Stray Ferret following the sentencing of Defrim Paci, the sole owner of Harrogate Hand Carwash on Sykes Grove, for crimes he committed at another car wash in Carlisle.
Paci was jailed for 45 months for the mistreatment and exploitation of workers who travelled to the UK from their native Romania in search of better lives.
Speaking about the potential signs of modern slavery at hand car washes, Mr Dixon said the number of workers, whether they have the right equipment and buildings which are seemingly used for accommodation were the most common.
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However, he added that those may not amount to offences.
Mr Dixon said the GLAA often gets reports from the public on car washes because as businesses they are visible and used frequently by people.
He said:
“There could be issues with the information. Sometimes the information we get is low level or low quality.
“You need a lot of information to see if there is modern slavery.”
But, Mr Dixon said it was important for people to continue to report issues to the authorities.
He said:
“It’s important to report something if you think it looks like a problem.
“The more information we get can help us build a picture and assess if something is going on.”
Those wishing to report potential modern slavery at a hand car wash can do so through the Safe Car Wash app, which was set up by the Church of England’s anti-slavery arm, the Clewer Initiative, and the Catholic Church.
The information reported is anonymised and is shared with the National Crime Agency and Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.
