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Crackdown on human trafficking
02/07/2008
The largest ever UK-wide police crackdown against human trafficking has resulted in 35 suspects being arrested in Scotland.
Operation Pentameter 2, launched in October 2007, saw 351 individuals initially dealt with as potential victims of human trafficking throughout the UK with 59 of them in Scotland. Of these people, 167 across the UK and 15 in Scotland were subsequently considered to have been trafficked for sexual exploitation.
The UK and Scottish Governments have today also published an update to the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill said:
"The Scottish Government is committed to tackling the appalling trafficking in human beings and the misery it causes.
"Pentameter 2 is a vital part of the on-going battle against this despicable 'trade', with police raids across Scotland having discovered 59 potential victims, 15 of those believed to have been trafficked for sexual exploitation.
"There are clear links between human trafficking, and other forms of organised crime. This operation shows how, through improved intelligence and close partnership working, that we can deliver trafficking victims from misery and help make our communities safer and stronger as a result.
"We have also updated the joint UK Action Plan on Human Trafficking, making clear that we will continue to support law enforcement agencies to identify and pursue the criminal gangs involved and to work with local authorities and voluntary bodies to ensure that victims can get the support they need."
According to figures, Scottish police visited over 50 premises throughout the country which included 43 resicences and 11 massage parlours.
Detective Superintendent Michael Orr of Strathclyde Police, chair of the Scottish Human Trafficking Group, said:
"Operation Pentameter 2 has shown that there are criminals engaged in human trafficking throughout Scotland.
"During the six-month operation, 35 suspects were arrested in Scotland for a variety of offences and, in some cases, cash was seized from these premises.
"Operation Pentameter 2 has provided the Scottish police forces and their partner agencies, including the Scottish Government, with a greater knowledge of the threat."
Nick Kinsella, Head of the UK Human Trafficking Centre said:
"Pentameter 2 has been a great success and now the results need to be analysed in depth, to see what we have actually found. This operation was one of many strands of activity that are taking place in the UK or being led by UK law enforcement internationally, to combat the trafficking of human beings."