UK Human Trafficking Centre opened

A new national unit to provide training, intelligence and operation support for officers tackling human trafficking opened this week.

The UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) was announced in June at the final conference for Operation Pentameter, the first national anti-human trafficking campaign involving all 55 forces in the UK.

Speaking at the conference, Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: “The UKHTC will support the overarching aim of establishing the UK as world leader in prevention and investigation of trafficking human beings and will complement the work of the Serious Organised Crime Agency.”

The Centre in Sheffield will offer expert care to victims as well as training for officers.

Christine Beddoe, Director of ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking) UK, told Police Professional: “We welcome the new UKHTC. It once again highlights the need for a victim led response to combating human trafficking and we would really encourage the coordination and cooperation with children’s agencies and local authority social services to ensure there are responses to children who have been trafficked.”

However, despite recent increases in policy around human trafficking, Christine Beddoe feels this is not being matched by a same level of service provision.

She said: “We still have a desperate shortage of services at the local level, particularly legal advice, safe accommodation and the provision of the mental health services. Although the policy is moving forward shown by a much more progressive law enforcement response, we still need better services and support for people who have been trafficked.”