22.07.2025

Modern slavery is on the rise in the industry, says security expert

Leading security provider, Kingdom Security, has warned that more needs to be done to help tackle modern slavery, following instances spotted by its security teams – all thanks to their extensive Kingdom training that helps them to spot the signs.

All colleagues at Kingdom Group, undertake extensive training to spot the signs of modern slavery and know how to handle a situation should it arise, but it isn’t something they have had to deal with face to face before.

However, the issue of modern slavery and extreme labour exploitation in the UK is a huge topic, with reports of people working below minimum wage or in poor conditions showing up in almost all areas of the economy – such as fast food, clothing warehouses, supermarkets and on farms. Between mid-2023 and mid-2024, there were around 17,000 survivors of modern slavery identified in the UK, and that number continues to rise.

Kevin Burton, Retail Account Director at Kingdom Security, says: “In the security industry, we have a duty to protect and care for our colleagues and others, including our clients and members of the public.

“Through our Training CARE Platform we diligently train all our security colleagues to spot the signs of modern slavery and equip them with the skills to handle these situations, but we need to come together as an industry and commit to this level of education.”

Kingdom contract managers regularly assess sites and security officers to keep to the highest standards of service, but in doing so they also are able to assess for signs of modern slavery. A Kingdom contract manager recently had an instance of modern slavery when completing regular checks.

He said: “We are trained to spot the smallest discrepancy such as incorrect documentation that doesn’t look quite right. In this case, during an interview, we noticed the SIA badge provided, didn’t look as it should.”

Burton seconds this growing concern in the industry: “This instance shows a bigger problem in many industries like ours. Organised crime gangs are fuelling this rise and exploiting the industry.

“Luckily at Kingdom, due to diligent screening and vetting, regular assessments with contract managers, refresher training and by working closely with the police, these instances are very rare – but we are ensuring all our colleagues know how to handle these situations with care and understanding.”

Belinda Lea, Head of the Training Centre for The Kingdom Group, says Kingdom’s training for all colleagues creates a culture where our colleagues feel confident to speak up, take action, and support each other – both inside and outside of the workplace.

“For us, training isn’t just a requirement, it’s a responsibility,” says Lea. “We use trusted resources from organisations such as Walk Free, Stronger Together, GLAA (Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority) and I AM FREE to help our teams recognise and respond to modern slavery and exploitation.”

She continues: “These materials are powerful because they don’t just deliver information — they bring it to life through real-world scenarios, video content, and interactive elements that make complex issues more relatable and easier to understand. By blending CPD-accredited training with these engaging tools, we create a learning experience that’s practical, memorable, and truly aligned with our CARE values. Keeping people safe isn’t just part of my role — it’s something I’m deeply passionate about.”

Kingdom Security are calling for all security providers to ensure they are training their staff on modern slavery – most crucially how to deal with these kinds of situations should they occur.

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