Modern Slavery Statement for Catford Storage
Catford Storage is committed to conducting business ethically, responsibly, and with respect for human rights. This modern slavery statement sets out the principles and controls we apply to help prevent slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking within our operations and supply chain. We recognise that modern slavery can occur in many forms and across many sectors, and we take a zero-tolerance policy toward any practice that exploits people or denies them dignity.
Our approach applies to all areas of the business, including staffing, procurement, maintenance, transport, and outsourced services. We expect everyone working with Catford Storage to uphold the same standards. In line with our values, we seek to identify and address risks early, strengthen oversight, and maintain transparent processes that support ethical conduct at every level.
This statement reflects our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. We understand that vigilance is essential, particularly where supply chains involve multiple parties, subcontractors, or labour providers. By reviewing our procedures regularly and reinforcing accountability, we aim to reduce the risk of exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals.
Catford Storage maintains policies designed to support fair treatment, lawful employment, and respectful working conditions. These include checks on right-to-work documentation, clear contractual standards, and expectations around wages, working time, and safe conditions. We also train relevant staff to recognise warning signs such as restricted movement, intimidation, debt bondage, document retention, or signs that workers may not be acting freely.
Supplier audits are a key part of our due diligence process. We assess suppliers before engagement and, where appropriate, carry out periodic audits to confirm compliance with labour standards and ethical sourcing requirements. Where risk is higher, we may request evidence of policies, employment records, subcontracting controls, and corrective action plans. If concerns are identified, we require timely remediation and may suspend or end the relationship if improvement is not credible.
We also use a risk-based approach to monitor different categories of suppliers. This means we consider geography, service type, labour intensity, and the use of third parties when determining the level of scrutiny needed. Our modern slavery controls are integrated into procurement decisions so that ethical performance is treated as seriously as quality, reliability, and value.
Reporting concerns is essential to effective prevention. Catford Storage encourages employees, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders to raise suspicions or incidents of exploitation without delay. Our reporting channels are designed to enable confidential disclosure and prompt internal escalation. We treat all concerns seriously and investigate them in a fair, proportionate, and non-retaliatory manner. Anyone raising a concern in good faith will be protected from victimisation.
When an issue is reported, it is reviewed by the appropriate responsible manager and escalated where necessary. We assess the facts, preserve records, and take action to protect affected individuals. This may include contacting relevant authorities, strengthening supplier oversight, revising contractual terms, or halting business activity where the risk cannot be adequately controlled. Our focus is always on safeguarding people first.
We also recognise the importance of awareness throughout the organisation. Staff involved in purchasing, operations, and contract management receive guidance to help them identify risks and respond appropriately. This supports a culture in which modern slavery is not hidden, overlooked, or treated as a distant issue, but as a serious matter requiring active prevention.
Catford Storage will review this modern slavery statement annually to ensure it remains relevant, effective, and aligned with evolving legal requirements and business practices. The review will consider any incidents, audit findings, supplier performance, and feedback from internal risk assessments. We will update our controls as needed to address emerging risks and to strengthen our response where improvements are identified.
In preparing the annual review, we will examine whether our policies, supplier monitoring, and reporting processes remain fit for purpose. We will also assess training needs and evaluate whether additional checks are required in areas of greater exposure. This ongoing review helps ensure that our anti-slavery commitments are embedded across Catford Storage rather than existing as a standalone document.
Catford Storage is dedicated to operating with integrity and ensuring that our business does not contribute to modern slavery in any form. Through a zero-tolerance policy, supplier audits, accessible reporting channels, and annual review, we aim to protect human rights, strengthen accountability, and uphold the ethical standards expected of us.