CPS warns of airport ‘slave auctions’

CPS West London Director Nazir Afzal has warned that a range of criminal activity – from distraction thefts and pickpocketing to ‘slave auctions for the sex trade – is on the increase at UK airports.

Speaking at a CPS conference in London earlier this month, Mr Afzal said: “We are now seeing ‘slave auctions’ being held in public places at airports where brothel keepers are bidding for women destined for prostitution.”

According to reports, in one instance a slave auction took place outside a coffee shop in the arrivals hall of Gatwick airport. Authorities believe similar auctions have taken place at Heathrow, Stansted and other airports across the UK.

The auction was one of a number of airport crimes being discussed at the conference; others included the abandonment of children in baggage reclaim areas with no identity papers, distraction thefts and pick-pocketing by criminals working in teams, and burglaries by criminals who read the addresses on baggage labels and break in on the likelihood homes will be empty.