The only specialised unit targeting human trafficking
in the UK will be disbanded, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson
has confirmed.
The 11 officer Human Trafficking Team will close in April 2009
following the withdrawal of £2.3m funding from the Home
Office.
Klara Skrivankova, Anti-Slavery International’s Trafficking
Programme Coordinator, said: “The decision to disband
the MET Human Trafficking Team is irresponsible and fails the
victims of trafficking. The only people happy with this decision
will be the traffickers now more likely to escape justice.”
London is a major trafficking hub and Anti-Slavery International
estimates that at least 5,000 people are trafficked to the UK.
Ms Skrivankova added: “The Government is making the
UK a more attractive destination for traffickers and undermining
its commitment to stamp out trafficking.”
The announcement comes only a week after the unit’s biggest
success. Six men were sentenced to a total of 53 years in prison
for their role in the trafficking of women for the purpose of
sexual exploitation and keeping women enslaved in brothels for
forced prostitution.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "The MET does
not have the additional funds to keep the team running in its
current format whilst meeting other existing policing requirements."
