03/01/2007

Conservatives call for action on human trafficking

The Conservatives have called for Britain to sign up to a European convention on action against human trafficking.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis also called for the introduction of a border police force and tighter airport checks on women and children travelling without a partner, guardian or parent.

Mr Davis said that the convention had already been signed by 34 states and stressed that a specialist UK Border Police Force would have the expertise to intercept traffickers and victims at British borders.

He said: "Human trafficking is a hideous trade in human misery, which is spiralling out of control at the moment. We must stop ignoring it and start to tackle the criminal gangs who perpetrate it, and to protect the victims of it."

Mr Davis also announced a series of proposals aimed at tackling the problem including: introducing separate interviews at all airports for women and children travelling alone with an adult is not a parent, guardian or husband; strengthening the coordination between relevant government departments and the Serious Organised Crime Agency; reinforcing the UK Human Trafficking Centre, in order to ensure a coherent, joined-up approach; and ensuring that each police force and every local government association has a strategy for dealing with suspected victims of trafficking.

Mr Davis also said that a helpline should be set up to provide information for women who have been trafficked and for those who suspect exploitation.

The Conservatives said that research had shown that between 700,000 and two million women women and children were trafficked across international borders every year.

They also said that there were an estimated 4,000 victims of trafficking for prostitution in the UK during 2003 at any one time, but only 30 convictions for trafficking offences in 2004-2006, with no convictions for trafficking for labour exploitation.

(KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

13 October 2006
MPs urge ministers to tackle people trafficking
A committee of MPs and peers has urged the Government to tackle the increase in the growth of people trafficking in the UK. Unpublished Government research shows around 4,000 women victims of trafficking and prostitution were in the country in 2003 at any one time, according to an inquiry report published by the Joint Committee on Human Rights.
12 April 2011
Green Reacts To 'Disturbing' Trafficking Case
The Immigration Minister has said that the government is taking positive steps to ensure it remains a world leader in the fight against human trafficking. Responding to the case of a Moldovan trafficking victim who received damages from the government this week, he explained that the rights of victims have now been strengthened.
30 June 2008
Man Jailed For 'Horrific' Trafficking Offences
A man has been jailed for human trafficking and prostitution offences. Imre Orsos, 40, of Chorley Old Road, was sentenced to five years and three month's imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of trafficking persons into the UK for sexual exploitation and controlling prostitution for gain.
03 October 2007
Campaign Launched Against Sex Trafficking
A new campaign against criminals who force trafficked women into the sex trade has been launched by police across Britain and the Irish Republic. All 55 police forces will take part in the project, named Pentameter 2, and will target the the gang masters who force women and children to work in the sex industry.
17 February 2004
UK sees 20% increase in multiple births over 10 years
Mothers are having 20% more multiple births than they were a decade ago, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Statistics have revealed that in 2002, the multiple birth rate was 15 per 1,000 women giving birth, compared with 12.5 in 1992.