About Us
The County Durham and Darlington Anti-Slavery Network, founded in 2022, is a network of agencies working in partnership toward the shared vision of making County Durham and Darlington a place where victims will feel and be safe, with effective identification of victims and safeguarding, and to relentlessly pursue perpetrators of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Joy Allen, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner
Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner, recognises that victim-survivors of modern slavery and exploitation are often hidden in plain sight.
They need specialist help and support, alongside an understanding that they are likely to have been coerced into criminal activities. Many will not see themselves as a victim, or feel that they cannot come forward due to worries that they may be sentenced for their activities. We, as organisations, have a responsibility to recognise those victim-survivors, and work with out partners to support them away from this activity.
The PCC has provided funding and staffing capacity to establish the County Durham and Darlington Anti-Slavery Network and training for Anti-Slavery Champions, across the area. The Network continues to deliver on the strategy, the focus of which for 2024/25 has been to identify and support training awareness opportunities across all stakeholders, specifically the statutory duties.
The PCC demonstrates ongoing commitment to tackling modern slavery and exploitation in her Police, Crime and Justice Plan 2025 – 2029, by supporting the Anti-Slavery Network and its members, in the delivery of our shared objectives.
Network Chair
Robin Brierley is an independent consultant specialising in tackling modern slavery and human trafficking. He provides expert guidance and leadership to the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner by currently managing and chairing the County Durham and Darlington Anti-Slavery Network.
With extensive experience in both the public and third sectors including a previous career in SOCA, now named the National Crime Agency. Robin has played a key role in developing multi-agency partnerships focused on modern slavery. His expertise spans victim care and support, post-identification SafePlace provisions, and the establishment of a lived experience advisory panel—ensuring survivor voices are central to policy, practice, training and strategy.
Robin is also the co-founder and co-chair of the National Network Coordinators Forum, hosted by the Human Trafficking Foundation, where he works to strengthen collaboration between anti-slavery networks across the UK.
Through his leadership, Robin continues to drive efforts to combat modern slavery, enhance victim support systems, and foster multi-agency cooperation, making a lasting impact in the fight against exploitation.
Network Commitments
- To work collaboratively and adding collective value through a cohesive and co-ordinated system.
- To prevent and reduce modern slavery and trafficking by adopting a public health approach.
- To take a victim centred approach meaning all agencies acting in ways that support what the victim needs and promoting choice.
- To use data and intelligence to guide future strategies, policy development and commissioning.
Strategic Objectives
- Prepare
To develop our understanding of the issues and to improve our multi-agency response to both victims and perpetrators.
- Prevent
Prevent people from engaging in modern slavery.
- Pursue
Reduce the harm caused by modern slavery through improved victim identification and enforcement support.
- Protect
Strengthen safeguards against modern slavery by protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.
Governance Structure
The County Durham and Darlington Anti-Slavery Network brings together statutory and non-statutory partners from across the county, each with different roles in identifying potential victims, providing support, and holding exploiters accountable.
- Working Together
It is locally agreed that representatives from Police, Local Authorities, and other statutory sector bodies within the area, will form part of the membership of the County Durham and Darlington Anti-Slavery Network, for oversight and governance.
Durham County Council agreed Modern Slavery would sit within the remit of the Durham Safeguarding Adults Partnership (DSAP) for oversight and governance. DSAP have agreed to a representative attending the Network.
Darlington County Council agreed Modern Slavery would sit with in the remit of Darlington Safeguarding Partnership (Children and Adults) for oversight and governance. It was acknowledged that some of the issues may require support from the Community Safeguarding Partnership and that they would be involved as required.
2025/26 Network Meeting Dates
All County Durham and Darlington Anti-Slavery Network meetings are held bimonthly, in person at Durham Constabulary Headquarters, with an option to attend remotely.
If you are a partner agency and would like to join our Network membership, please email via the 'Contact Us' page.
October 15, 2025
10:00 am
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12:00 pm
December 9, 2025
10:00 am
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12:00 pm
February 11, 2026
10:00 am
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12:00 pm
May 13, 2026
10:00 am
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12:00 pm
Network Progress Report 2022 - 2025
- View the County Durham and Darlington Anti-Slavery Network Progress Report of our 2022 - 2025 Strategy.
Executive Summary
Network Strategy 2026 - 2029
- View the County Durham and Darlington Anti-Slavery Network Strategy 2026 - 2029:
Network Membership
The Durham Police and Crime Commissioner is keen to hear from other organisations who currently work in the area of modern slavery and human trafficking, and feel that they can contribute and/or benefit from being part of the Network.
Please email via the 'Contact Us' page.
