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Modern Slavery Statement

Modern Slavery Statement 2021: Section 54 (1) Transparency In Supply Chains (TISC)

 

Introduction

This statement sets out the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s (PCC) commitment to ensure that they do not actively encourage nor support slavery or human trafficking within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), its business activities and within its supply chains. Although the obligations listed within Section 54 (1) of The Modern Slavery Act 2015 currently apply to commercial organisations, the PCC is making this voluntary statement to show a commitment to tackling modern slavery within the supply chains embedded within the OPCC and encouraging other agencies to follow suit.

There are many types of slavery which include, but are not limited to:

  • Domestic exploitation
  • Labour exploitation
  • Organ harvesting
  • EU Status exploitation
  • Financial exploitation
  • Sexual exploitation
  • Criminal exploitation

The PCC also recognises the legal duties of the Chief Constable under Section 43 of The Modern Slavery Act 2015, which states that specified public authorities have a duty to cooperate with the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) and will encourage these legal duties to be met should the need arise:

  • The IASC may request for the Chief Constable to cooperate with the IASC in any way that the IASC considers necessary for the purposes of the IASC’s functions.
  • The Chief Constable must, in so far as reasonably practicable, comply with a request made to it under section 43.

The IASC’s Strategic Plan identifies a number of priorities, including “…best practice within partnership working”. To support this plan, the PCC chairs and facilitates the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Modern Slavery Partnership, which aims to make Hampshire a supportive place for victims and a hostile place for perpetrators of slavery.

 For more information please see the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Modern Slavery Partnership website.

 

Our policies

The PCC has the PCC and OPCC combined Action for Equality, Inclusion and Diversity to support her commitment as well as specific policies in the following areas:

 

Organisation structure, business & supply chains

The OPCC serves in excess of 1.9 million residents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The organisation seeks to make life safer for all the communities it serves through its key areas of focus.

For further information, please see our page about the OPCC.

 

Country of operation & supply

The OPCC operates solely in the United Kingdom. Any organisation that works with the OPCC (i.e. partnerships and suppliers), that are has duties under Section 54 of the Act are expected to understand and comply with the requirements set out in the legislation. In addition, suppliers will also be expected to carry out checks on their sub-contractors to ensure there is no slavery or human trafficking in the supply chain.

 

Staff recruitment

All staff that work for the OPCC are in receipt of at least the UK minimum wage and as part of the recruitment process will undergo robust immigration and pre-employment checks in line with the Governments Right to Work in the UK guidance.

The OPCC’s contracts to source temporary staff (delivered through a neutral vendor) mandates the use of the UK minimum wage and robust immigration checks. This includes conducting compliance checks throughout the supply chain and ensuring all providers train their staff on how to identify and understand the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking. Any provider who fails to comply will be suspended or terminated from the supply chain until such compliance can be evidenced.

An all staff workshop on modern slavery was delivered in 2021 at the OPCC and as a continued commitment to staff awareness in this area, all new OPCC staff receive a modern slavery awareness raising session.

 

Managing supply chains

While it is impractical due to limited resources for the OPCC to audit and monitor each and every supplier in its entire supply chain, and at all levels, the OPCC takes a risk-management approach through identifying key vulnerabilities within the supply chain. The OPCC is also committed to ethical procurement.

In our procurement and contract management activities:

  • As part of the tender process, suppliers are asked to self-certify if they comply with the Modern Slavery Act, where they are caught by the legislation. Furthermore, where sub-contractors are being used, the main contractor is required to carry out checks on their sub-contractors;
  • all new contracts include provisions to ensure compliance and to enable the OPCC to take action where necessary;
  • whistleblowing is encouraged to identify breaches of policy and contractual provisions and make sure potential whistle blowers are protected;
  • endeavour to ensure that compliance is being adhered to by auditing key suppliers.

 

Reporting suspected slavery or human trafficking

If the OPCC or any of its staff suspect slavery or human trafficking activity either within the OPCC itself or through our supply chain, this will be reported to the authorities as per local and national legislation and guidance.  Staff are also able to contact the Modern Slavery Helpline.

 

https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/ms/modern-slavery/

 

Governance

This statement will be reviewed annually by the PCC and the governing structure will be the Modern Slavery Partnership Steering Group that is governed by the Integrated Public Services Board.