Trafficking in Human Beings: Prevention
The UK is primarily a destination country for trafficking although there is some evidence of internal trafficking. The covert nature of the criminal activity means that it is difficult to accurately estimate the size of the problem.
The United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) was established in 2006 to be a central point for the development of expertise and operational co-ordination in relation to trafficking of human beings. It is a police led multi- agency organisation which has developed relationships with the non-government organisation sector UK Border Agency (UKBA) and police forces.
The UKHTC launched Blue Blindfold, a public awareness raising campaign in January 2008. The campaign aims to raise awareness about all forms of human trafficking. The message is that trafficking is happening in local communities within the UK and the police need the help of the public to disrupt the crime and anyone with any information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers.
The UKHTC will help to co-ordinate victim care arrangements and will host an expert Competent Authority for the purposes of the Convention and assess cases referred to by front line agencies to determine whether they should be treated as victims according to the convention criteria. UKBA will host separate but linked Competent Authorities to help assess cases identified within the immigration and asylum system. The UKHTC can be contacted on 0114 252 3891.
In respect of the 2014 Commonwealth Games the Scottish Government will work with its partner organisations and the police to ensure that procedures are put in place to minimise opportunities for trafficking in human beings for forced labour during the construction phase and to tackle potential trafficking for sexual exploitation while the games are running.