Freedom bus returns to Merseyside this weekend

The ‘Freedom Bus’ is back in our region this Saturday (7th September) to drive awareness of exploitation, trafficking, and Modern Slavery. 

The double-decker bus last came to tour Liverpool in 2021 and after three years is set to return – but this year – it’s touring all five boroughs of Merseyside for the first time. 

Borrowed by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, from the Pan-Lancashire Anti-Slavery Partnership, the campaign aims to raise awareness in Merseyside by encouraging people to learn how to spot the warning signs of Modern Slavery and how to report any concerns they have.  

The bus 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.  

The Freedom Bus will begin its six-hour journey in St Helens before travelling across the Merseyside region, making short stops in each area to engage with people in every borough before making its final stop in Wirral. 

Onboard the bus, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Jeanie Bell will be joined by representatives from the Modern Slavery Network and Pan-Lancashire Anti-Slavery Partnership, as well as national charity Causeway and Merseyside Police to answer any questions, give advice and inform the public on spotting the warning signs of slavery. 

You can see the bus and speak to all those onboard as it stops across the region at: 

• 10am -10.45am - Church Square, Church Street, St Helens town centre, WA10 8US
• 11.05am – 11.40am – Morrisons, Kirkby town centre, Knowsley, L32 8US 
• 12pm – 12.50pm - Bootle Leisure Centre car park, Sefton, L20 5BY 
• 1.15pm – 2pm – Derby Square, Liverpool city centre, L2 1XA 
• 2.30pm – 4pm - St John Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 6HY  

Tackling Modern Slavery is a priority for the Police and Crime Commissioner who launched a region-wide strategy earlier this year focusing on tackling the issue of exploitation and improving the support provided to victims. 

One of the actions set out in the plan looks to raise awareness amongst the public on what Modern Slavery is and how to spot the warning signs. 

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.”

Merseyside’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Jeanie Bell said: “Modern Slavery devastates lives and communities, and we must work together to end exploitation and protect innocent victims from a lifetime of fear and intimidation.

“We need local people who are living and working in our communities, day in day out, to be able to recognise what could be signs of Modern Slavery and report any concerns they may have. By doing so, they could save a vulnerable person from a lifetime of exploitation and enslavement.

“That’s why it is essential we increase awareness and understanding amongst the public, so that more potential victims can be found and receive the support they need. This bus tour is the perfect opportunity to reach out to all our communities’ region-wide and I’m looking forward to driving awareness forward.” 

Ben Greaves, Causeway’s Head of Modern Slavery Services, said: “Causeway runs multiple safehouses and services for survivors of modern slavery across Merseyside, so we are very keen to support any initiative that will help raise awareness of exploitation and human trafficking, and help inform the public about what to look out for.

“Modern slavery affects thousands of people across the UK, including many in Merseyside, so it’s important that people know how to spot the signs, and where to get help.

“Lots of our staff will be on hand to chat about the services Causeway offers, what modern slavery is, and how people can support us, so come along and say hello.”

To find out more about the warning signs of Modern Slavery, or to report any concerns, contact the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or file a report online: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/report