The National Crime Agency thinks there are tens of thousands of people being exploited in the UK, forced to work long hours, for little or no pay, and under threat of violence. They suspect many of them are working in terrible conditions in car washes as police have unearthed this kind of exploitation in garages throughout the country.
To combat the problem, drivers are being encouraged to join a national information-gathering campaign launched by the Church of England and the Catholic Church in an app.
The Safe Car Wash app will allow drivers to log where they are washing their car and answer a series of questions which could help identify if the staff have been trafficked.
This could vary from saying whether the workers have suitable protective clothing to any personal indicators such as staff seeming withdrawn.
The questions will be:
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Do the workers have access to suitable protective clothing? Look out for gloves and boots.
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Is there evidence of workers living on site? Can you see a caravan or mattresses and bedding?
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Does anyone appear controlling or intimidating?
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Does the body language of the workers appear withdrawn or fearful?
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Do there appear to be minors working at the car wash?
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Did you pay less than £6.70 for the car wash?
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Does the car wash only accept cash?
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Did they offer a receipt?
Users can open the app when they are at the car wash and pinpoint their exact location using GPS.
If the answers…
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