Businesses: Spotting the signs of modern slavery and human trafficking
Educating firms to spot the signs of modern slavery and human trafficking is an important part of our Business Crime Team’s work.

They visit firms across our county to explain what to look out for so staff can identify if someone has been trafficked or is being exploited.

Bob Fortt, who works to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking and protect victims for Essex Police, says larger firms must annually outline the steps they take to ensure they use ethical supply lines, as outlined by the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

However, he explains, while many businesses focus on sourcing goods ethically, they must make similar checks when employing staff.

Read more. 

Crime prevention advice - Keep burglars out of your business
You may have invested a great deal of time, energy and money in your business premises, but burglars make it their business to break in. Follow our advice below to make the property more secure, deterring them from targeting your premises.

Protect your business from the outside

1. A well-maintained exterior free of rubbish and graffiti will reduce the likelihood of your business being targeted by criminals. So try to remove any graffiti. If any appears on a nearby wall or structure, call the local council who will send their specialist team.
2. Identify areas that may be vulnerable to forced entry and have them made more secure.
3. Make sure any service doors are locked and secure when not in use.
4. Make sure you have a monitored alarm and that it’s fully operational. For advice and approved suppliers of alarms and CCTV, visit the National Security Inspectorate and the Security Systems Alarms Inspection Board.
5. Make sure your CCTV is operational, provides facial recognition as well as good quality images and covers any vulnerable areas. 24-hour digital CCTV is also highly recommended. You'll find useful advice on buying surveillance equipment, from the Surveillance Camera Commissioner. 
6. Make sure that wheelie bins are stored away as these can be climbed on to gain access to the building, especially via the first floor.
7. Make sure there is sufficient lighting around the premises, especially loading areas.
8. Consider moving high-value goods away from display windows overnight.
9. Prune any overgrown bushes or nearby trees, as they can provide cover for anyone trying to hide from view.
10. Doors and windows are particularly vulnerable – use security-rated products to make them more burglar-resistant. For more details visit Secure by Design.
11. External shutters, although effective, may require planning approval. Use attack-resistant laminated glass in sturdy frames where possible. Alternatively, film can be applied to glass to make it more resilient.
12. Anti-ram raider bollards mounted externally can be used to protect frontages but may require planning approval.
13. Try not to keep cash on the premises and always use a bolted-down safe with a time lock and anti-tamper sensors that trigger an alarm.
14. Make sure stockrooms are locked and, where possible, keep stock out of sight.
15. Smoke-generating devices that activate on unauthorised entry create a smokescreen and foil burglary. They're designed not to damage stock.
16. Make sure your keys are not left on the premises and that only designated staff have access. In case of emergency, make sure there’s a list of keyholders who can be contacted

1. Be sceptical - If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Thoroughly question all:

• deals
• opportunities
• documents
• transactions
• information

2. Know your business inside out - Have a thorough understanding of your business so you know:

• how it operates
• the staff you employ
• the products and services it provides
• your target market and your business
• your legal and regulatory obligations
• this will help you realise immediately when something isn’t right.

3. Know your customers and suppliers - When you understand who you do business with you can spot any business request or transaction that looks wrong for that customer or supplier and may be fraudulent. Conduct due diligence using a risk-based approach, such as checking the customer or supplier details you have on file, as well as online searches.
4. Identify areas where your business is vulnerable to fraud - Imagine how a fraudster might target your business, both internally and externally, and test the systems you already use to reduce risk. Make sure you and your staff know those systems and regularly review them.
5. Develop a strategy and talk about fraud - Think about the right fraud prevention and detection strategy for your business: it should detail controls and procedures. Staff look to owners and managers for guidance to acceptable behaviour. Talk about fraud with your staff, suppliers and other contacts. Your staff need to understand the risks and how losses affect the business and themselves.
6. Take extra care against cyber attacks - With increasing threats from cybercrime, protect your business technology against attacks. Make sure you back up your systems in case they go wrong.
7. Understand your finances - Understand how money leaves your business, including:

• methods of payment
• who has authority to make those payments
• who checks payments are legitimate
• always check your bank statements.

8. Secure and protect your property - This includes laptops, computers, smartphones and intellectual property. Factor in business insurance to cover these items if they’re compromised or stolen. Use and maintain inventories.
9. Develop an action plan - Consider when you might need professional or legal advice. While prevention is better than cure, it’s important for you and your business to be prepared for the worst. Having an action plan in place will help limit your losses to fraud.
10. Always report fraud and get help - Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. You can also get information about fraud and financially motivated internet crime.