In 2012, the Metropolitan Police Trafficked Victims Unit dealt with 147 victims and 91 operations.
A scheme to tackle human trafficking in London is being led by Kensington and Chelsea Council.
The two year initiative will be funded with a grant of more than £300,000 from the European Commission and £52,000 from the council’s Community Safety Partnership funds.
The funding will be distributed to the Metropolitan Police’s trafficking unit and partner agencies in Kensington and Chelsea, who will wok with organisations in Lithuania and Italy to raise awareness and provide victim support.
In 2012, the Metropolitan Police Trafficked Victims Unit dealt with 147 victims and 91 operations.
A recent investigation into a Russian and European-based organised criminal network resulted in the rescue of thirteen young, vulnerable Eastern European victims from premises in Kensington, Chelsea and Queensway.
“Human trafficking is a terrible and complex crime so resources need to be given to help those agencies that have proven experience of tackling the issue,” said Councillor Rock Feilding-Mellen, the Royal Borough’s Cabinet Member for Civil Society.
“This two-year programme funds specialist anti-trafficking police officers and charities to tackle this issue at source and equip those vulnerable of being trafficked with the skills to resist, as well as giving victims the support they need to escape this cycle of abuse.”
Photo courtesy of Imagens Evangélicas, with thanks.
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