UK Police urge travel industry to fight human trafficking

Police in the UK have called for the travel industry to play an active part in their new drive to end sex trafficking in the country.
“Victims are arriving from all over the world, but whatever their origin, whether by aeroplane, ferry, train or coach, they all arrive in the UK by public transport,” said Tim Brain of the Association of Chief Police Officers.
“It is clear therefore, that the success of the preventative aspect of the operation is dependent on the co-operation of the travel industry.
“Assistance from the travel industry in combating what in effect is both modern day slavery and an affront to human rights cannot, therefore, be over-emphasised.”
Brain estimated that there were approximately 2,800 women in the UK who had been trafficked into forced prostitution. Police in the UK will now be patrolling all major ports of entry to the country and there will be a poster campaign asking such questions as “Do you have your passport?” and “ Did you arrange your own travel?”. These new initiatives are part of  a new initiative called “Operation Pentameter”.
It is to be hoped that the UK will also sign and ratify the Council of Europe convention on the trafficking of persons and allow victims to stay in the country should they choose to do so, as often it is dangerous to return to their country of origin.