A campaign to help end modern slavery and human trafficking and raise awareness to the community.

The motion proposed by Councillor Meenal Sachdev received unanimous support from all 39 members of Hertsmere Borough Council full meeting on Wednesday.

This is the first motion of its kind to be tabled in Hertfordshire by a local authority to table what Prime Minister Theresa May described as “the great human issue of our time.”

It is thought around 13,000 people are thought to be victims of trafficking and slavery in the UK, although the exact figures are not known.

Last year 26 cases of slavery were reported to the police at Hertfordshire Constabulary. This year 37 cases have been reported and this is expected to rise.

Now councillors will take steps to raise awareness of the problem, support multi-agency action and have received training from the police’s anti-trafficking team Operation Tropic.

There will be community awareness events held throughout the borough next month and Operation Tropic will be on hand in Borehamwood on Tuesday, August 22 and in Radlett High Street on Wednesday, August 23.

For more information go to www.hertsmere.gov.uk/modernslavery