A new phoneline for victims of human trafficking has been launched by the Metropolitan Police. The freephone number is featured in a poster campaign produced for the Met and the charity STOP THE TRAFFIK.
"I hope that this poster and the freephone number it shows will encourage and enable victims who are suffering at the hands of traffickers to get in touch with us."
The posters encourage men and women who have been trafficked into the UK and forced to work for little or no wages in the sex and domestic industries, amongst others, to report the crimes to police.
They show women attached like puppets on strings in a dark and dingy room and carry the strapline: ‘Stop traffickers controlling you. You make the call. We’ll make it stop’.
The freephone number 0800 783 2589 asks victims and those who suspect trafficked victims are living in their community, to pass on information in confidence to the police. Officers will investigate their cases and take action against the perpetrators where possible.
Posters are being distributed over the coming weeks by police and partners, including charities, NGOs and other support and outreach groups, in a range of public places such as libraries, doctors’ surgeries and police stations.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Martin, head of the Met’s SCD9 Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command, which investigates allegations of trafficking and domestic servitude, said: "I hope that this poster and the freephone number it shows will encourage and enable victims who are suffering at the hands of traffickers to get in touch with us.
"Since SCD9 was formed in April last year, we have been working to raise awareness and understanding of all aspects of Human Trafficking, including trafficking for sexual exploitation and trafficking in the context of domestic servitude and forced labour.
"Numerous human trafficking investigations are currently under way, and officers have also secured 12 convictions in the last year, with a further 20 defendants awaiting trial.
"We work closely with partner organisations and want to build on this work by providing this new freephone support number.
"I would also ask that anybody who suspects trafficked victims are being forced to work within their community to contact us to pass on information in confidence on 0800 783 2589. If it’s an emergency, people should call 999."
