NEW stickers have been added to a Winsford company's truck fleet, backing a campaign pushed by a Northwich charity.

UK Container Maintenance (UKCM), based at the Winsford Industrial Estate, is promoting the Purple Teardrop modern slavery and anti-trafficking campaign with potent messages displayed on its vehicles.

The campaign, supported by by the Soroptimist International volunteer movement, aims to raise awareness of human trafficking and the infringement on human rights.

The UK Container Distribution Fleet comprises of six Volvo FH Globetrotters and five new Lawrence David trailers – three double-deck triaxle curtainsiders with tail lifts, and single deck curtainsiders with Moffett truck-mounted fork-lifts supplied by Hiab.

Emma Elston MBE, chief executive at UKCM, said: “Our recent substantial capital investment - involving the purchase of the more efficient and enhanced environmentally responsible vehicles, represents a significant move for the business.

"The new fleet, with its updated livery and UK-wide distribution will cement our brand presence on the road and offering us a valuable opportunity to assist in generating widespread awareness of this campaign of which UKCM is a long-standing supporter of.

“The Purple Teardrop campaign aims to end suffering of those who are trafficked, exploited and abused throughout the world, and we are privileged to be in a position to be able to support this vital cause.

"It is highly alarming that human trafficking is seeing massive year on year increases, The National Crime Agency reported that in 2017 potential victims referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) stood at 5148, a 35% increase on the previous year.

"These stats only show those referred to the NRM. If the victims are over 18, they can chose whether to be referred.

"Many choose not to be referred through fear of retribution, and the Home Office estimate that the figure is closer to 13,000 victims affected each year.”

Penny Clarke of Northwich Soroptimist Club said: “For a number of years, the committed team at UKCM have been valued supporters of Purple Teardrop.

"We are thrilled to have our powerful anti-trafficking message conveyed to a much wider audience as the business expands their fleet, with each vehicle carrying one of our large format stickers.”

The Purple Teardrop campaign website quotes UN data recording that approximately 2.5 million people around the world are ensnared in the web of human trafficking at any given time.

Trafficking impacts people of all backgrounds and people are trafficked for a variety of purposes.

Men are often trafficked into hard labour jobs, while children are trafficked into labour positions in textile, agriculture and fishing industries.

Women and girls are typically trafficked into the commercial sex industry of prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation.

Northwich & District Soroptimist Club is a long established Soroptimist branch, since 1949, drawing members from Northwich and the surrounding area.