New Centre important step in fight against Trafficking

11.49.40pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Oct 2006

West Midlands Liberal Democrats MEP Liz Lynne, a long-time campaigner against human trafficking, has welcomed the opening today of the new UK Human Trafficking Centre as an important step forward in the fight to stamp out the trade.

Speaking from Brussels, Liz said "The evil practice of trafficking has proved to be highly organised and entrenched so I am very glad we now have a dedicated centre that can centralise intelligence and co-ordinate future operations.

"Having recently met with the centre's head, DCS Nick Kinsella, I am confident he can continue the success he has with Operation Pentameter which freed more than 80 victims of trafficking over the last year.

"But while I welcome the fact that a strong effort is now being focused on catching these criminals, there must also now be an increase in the support this country gives to the victims of trafficking.

"For women freed after being trafficked into prostitution, there is currently only one centre in the UK offering them shelter and this is a totally unacceptable situation - we must have more.

"Furthermore, if this Government wants to prove itself committed to the fight against trafficking it must sign up to the Council of Europe's Convention on Human Trafficking which it has so far failed to do.

In September, the Liberal Democrat Conference unanimously endorsed Liz Lynne's policy motion on human trafficking which includes plans for a European-wide network of safe havens for trafficked women.