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See other news storiesPentameter 2 is underway
3 October 2007
The coordinated campaign targets human traffickers.
Pentameter 2 is a major operation stretching across the UK, and involving the work of the police as well as numerous governmental agencies and departments.
Trafficking is a horrendous crime, where victims are often coerced or deceived into lives of misery. They've often been kidnapped, and many have been raped. This operation will help the government determine the extent of the trafficking problem in the UK.
This is a victim-focused operation, and there are plans in place to ensure that victims found and freed from their captors will be treated with sensitivity, and helped compassionately by volunteer groups and government agencies.
Police will focus on rescuing and protecting people who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation or other illegal work, and identifying and charging their victimisers.
This is the second major operation to focus on trafficking. Pentameter 1 resulted in the rescue of 88 victims who'd come here from 22 countries. As part of that operation, 232 people were arrested - of those 134 were ultimately charged.
'Appalling and devastating'
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith described human trafficking as 'an appalling and devastating crime that destroys the lives of its victims'.
'I commend all those involved in this operation for their continuing hard work and commitment to fighting the exploitation and brutality caused by this modern-day slave trade,' she said.
Tim Brain of the Association of Chief Police Officers said, 'It is clear that slavery still exists. Individuals are still being brought into this country, moved across borders within the UK against their will, and being forced into servitude.'
'Pentameter 2 aims to discover the extent of the issue, and put in place all means available to prevent anyone else falling victim to this evil trade, and rescue those who are being held in such situations.'
