Human trafficking gangs targeted by UK government

Gangs that lure victims to the UK and then exploit them for sex, labour and domestic slavery are being targeted following action by the government.

A report published by the inter-departmental ministerial group (IDMG) on human trafficking shows that more work than ever before is being carried out both in the UK and internationally to prosecute criminals and stop trafficking gangs in their tracks.

Organised criminal gangs within countries including China, Nigeria, Vietnam, Slovakia and Romania now pose the greatest threat to the UK. However, co-ordinated action between the UK and these countries is proving effective. This includes:

• intelligence sharing with overseas police forces;
• lobbying governments to ratify the UN convention against transnational; organised crime;
• raising awareness about trafficking through local media in source countries.

The government is also working with these countries to tackle the problem at its source by lobbying for changes to countries' laws. UK prosecutors from the crown prosecution service's international team are based in priority countries to improve their criminal justice response to traffickers, train judges, prosecutors and investigators to deal with offences more effectively, and gather evidence and support for prosecutions in the UK.

Police and prosecutors are also working together to identify tactics on child sexual exploitation cases and ensure young victims are fully supported throughout the criminal justice process. Teachers, charities and police across the world are raising awareness of child trafficking with the aid of UK made videos and educational support programmes.