'Freedom Bus' returns to Wirral to raise awareness of modern slavery

The ‘Freedom Bus’ is returning to Wirral this Saturday (27^th September) to raise awareness of modern slavery.

The double-decker bus, which acts as a mobile exhibition and information point, will hit the road on Saturday morning calling first in Heswall where it will park at the fire station on Telegraph Road at 11am for 20 minutes.

Next stop is at St Andrew’s Church on Moorfields Avenue, Noctorum, scheduled for 11.50am. It then moves on to near the shops on Fender Way in Beechwood (12.40pm) and Hoole Road, Woodchurch at 1.10pm.

Later, it will stop in Liscard on Wallasey Road, near to the Duke of Wellington pub at around 1.50pm, outside Morrisons on Kings Parade in New Brighton at 2.25pm and on Brighton Street in Seacombe – between Elmswood and Riversdale Roads – at around 3pm.

The bus is provided by the Pan-Lancashire Anti-Slavery Partnership and is a mobile exhibition branded with anti-slavery messages promoting the national Modern Slavery Helpline, to which people should report any concerns they have about individuals who they think could be enslaved or exploited.

It aims to teach people how to spot the warning signs of Modern Slavery as well as how to report concerns. Onboard on its journey around Wirral will be representatives from various Council teams and other partner organisations.

Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said:

“The public play a vital role in the fight against slavery and trafficking. By acting as the police’s eyes and ears, they can help to spot the warning signs of someone being exploited.

“Thousands of vulnerable people are believed to be trafficked in the UK every year, yet only a very small proportion of cases are brought to the attention of the police and other authorities.

“We can change that by raising awareness of this despicable crime amongst the public, so they know how to spot the signs and report it. The Freedom Bus is a great way for driving awareness and bringing this hidden issue into the open, and I am so pleased that it will be covering the whole of Merseyside for the first time.

“I encourage everyone to learn how to spot the signs of exploitation, doing so could help save an innocent victims life from years of emotional, physical, and financial suffering. Even if you’re unsure, the helpline provides confidential advice and any information you can provide will help to stamp out slavery for good.”