'Full force of law' against human trafficking

Thursday, 8 March 2007 12:00 AM

People engaged in human trafficking will feel the full force of the law, the Home Office pledged yesterday.

Scotland Yard yesterday announced a new team to tackle human trafficking, dedicated to targeting the organised criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable men, women and children.

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker said: "Human trafficking is an appalling crime which causes terrible trauma to its victims.

"This new team will be a specialist unit dedicated to targeting the global criminal networks that profit from this modern day slave trade. Those involved in the trafficking of men, women and children can expect to feel the full weight of the law when they are caught."

The task force, made up of 11 police officers, will be headed by detective inspector Sally Jeffrey who has recently returned from Lithuania on a fact finding mission. Lithuania believes that most of its human trafficking victims end up in the UK.

"Human trafficking is an emerging problem and everyone accepts that," DI Jeffrey said after her visit.

"Historically the issue has been dealt with on an ad hoc basis within the Metropolitan police through the clubs and vice squad and the police boroughs.

"Although these units will continue to deal with some cases, it was felt that it was time for a specialist unit to provide a more coordinated response."

Tony Blair earlier this year pledged to "stamp out" the "evil" of modern slavery by signing up to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.

Critics have criticised his slowness in doing so, but yesterday Mr Coaker confirmed that Mr Blair will be signing the convention.

The government estimates that 4,000 people have been trafficked into the UK for sex work, as part of a global trade that is thought to generate £5 billion a year.

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