Bristol MP Darren Jones sports polished nails in parliament to raise awareness of modern slavery

Avon and Somerset police are investigating three reports of suspected modern slavery following a campaign to raise awareness of a crime that often goes unseen.

The force says this is proof that their bid to highlight the issue, by sharing photos of officers wearing nail polish on social media with the hashtag #LetsNailIt, has made a real difference and encouraged people to spot the signs, then call them in.

It comes after Avon and Somerset faced a backlash of criticism and sparked debate in the national press about use of police time.

Bristol North West MP Darren Jones not only added his support for the campaign last week, by joining Labour colleagues in painting his nails a fetching shade of red, but has also blasted critics who branded the stunt a waste of police time.

“Modern slavery is a real problem, but it often goes unseen,” said Jones. “The #LetsNailIt campaign highlights that nail bars are one prominent example of enslavement taking place under our noses every day.

“Clearly this isn’t the case for all nail bars, but the public need to know how to spot the signs so they can tip off the UK’s Modern Slavery Hotline.

“Some press said the police were wasting their time by starting this social media campaign. I think that’s ridiculous.

“My fellow MPS in Bristol painted my nails within five minutes (as part of another meeting we were having) and it didn’t stop me doing my day job. So I was happy to make a scene in the House of Commons to stand in solidarity with them, and to shine a light on this important issue.”

Avon and Somerset police have confirmed they are looking into three reports of suspected modern slavery within nail bars and a car wash since the campaign was launched by Bristol-based anti-slavery charity Unseen.

Deputy chief constable Sarah Crew said:  “This campaign will have made a real difference to lives.

“Someone who was going to pay £5 for a car wash now won’t.

“A victim who was feeling alone and helplessness will feel brave enough to seek help because they now know that they can, how and from whom – and that we will believe them.

“And a criminal gang will be deterred because they know that they are no longer in the shadows and their business model will be disrupted as a result.”

Justine Currell, Unseen’s executive director, said: “This is exactly the kind of response we want from the public – an understanding that people are being exploited in nail bars, and then to have the confidence to pick up the phone and speak to someone confidentially about it.”

The Government estimates that there are 13,000 victims of slavery in the UK and Currell says this could be just the tip of the iceberg.

The idea behind the #LetsNailIt campaign is to highlight the fact that modern slavery is occurring within our cities, in plain sight and hopes to educate people how to spot the signs and report it.

Anyone can spot the signs of slavery and report them to the Modern Slavery Helpline 24-hours a day on 08000 121 700. Read more about the signs of modern slavery on the police website: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/newsroom/features/slavery-is-closer-than-you-think

Read more: ‘Modern slavery is an illicit trade in which human beings are turned into commodities’