Charities criticise trafficking unit closure
Series of charities criticise proposals by Metropolitan police to shut down its human trafficking unit
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By Adam Leveridge. |  |
Wednesday, 07, Oct 2009 09:21
By Richard James.
A series of charities have criticised proposals by the Metropolitan police to shutdown its human trafficking unit.
The groups, including the NSPCC, claim the move would seriously undermine the ongoing battle against trafficking in the UK.
They have written to Met commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson appealing against the disbanding of the unit.
In their letter, seen by the BBC, they say: "Human trafficking is a complex, sensitive issue.
"Given the continually evolving nature of the crime, it has taken the Human Trafficking Team and non-governmental organisations working in the field a number of years to develop their expertise in the area.
"Policing trafficking for forced labour, domestic servitude and all other forms of exploitation requires specialist knowledge and understanding of trafficking, dedicated resources and commitment."
As part of the proposals the trafficking unit's work would be passed on to officers working in other parts of the Met.
The charities have warned, however, that the nature of human trafficking - be it for sex, forced labour and domestic servitude - means a specialist unit is required.