Officers from ******** Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking unit are working to raise awareness of victims of sexual exploitation in our county.
The team have been taking part in a national week of coordinated activity to identify and safeguard victims of human trafficking who may have been forced to work in the sex industry.
The continuing demand for sexual services means that human traffickers can generate vast criminal profits, as a victim can be exploited over and over again to provide a continuous source of profit.
Detective Constable *********, from ******** Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking team said: “It can be extremely difficult to spot the signs of someone who may be a victim of trafficking.
“However, our aim is to raise awareness particularly amongst those who use or have paid for sexual services, through Adult Services Websites, that the person they are engaging with could well be a victim of trafficking and exploitation.
“It is a criminal offence to pay for sex with someone who has been trafficked; regardless of whether the person paying knows the person providing the sexual service has been trafficked.
“We also want to appeal to companies and individuals who operate these sites to take their responsibility to protect vulnerable victims seriously and prevent traffickers from using their websites.
“If you are concerned about someone who may be a victim of trafficking, or have any information about potential trafficking you can report it to us using the detais below, or confidentially by calling the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.”
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Sorry it's redacted a little but just geographical data to protect my location.
Sorry for the date problem.....l mean THIS week.
I'm sure most of us are careful but forewarned and all that........