Comments(2) <\/p>\n
POLICE in Bristol are tackling a surge in human trafficking and modern day slavery. Figures obtained by the Bristol Post show Avon and Somerset constabulary is dealing with 153 tip-offs so far this year, more than double the number for the whole of 2012. <\/p>\n
A Freedom of Information request to the force's specialist human trafficking team also revealed arrests and charges have more than quadrupled. <\/p>\n
The force is referring dozens of victims to the National Crime Agency each year and a number of high-profile cases have come to court. <\/p>\n
Victims have been recorded from Eastern Europe, China, Vietnam and the UK and have been linked to forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic slavery. <\/p>\n
Court documents show victims in Bristol have ended up working in massage parlours, nail bars, car washes, travellers' sites and in growing numbers of cannabis factories. <\/p>\n
Unseen, a Bristol charity offering protection to victims, said the new figures were \"the tip of the iceberg\" and warned they are set to increase further. <\/p>\n
Avon and Somerset police said the new figures followed a trend which is set to continue. The human trafficking team said detection rates were increasing alongside public awareness after a national publicity campaign. <\/p>\n
A Post investigation found: <\/p>\n
the number of intelligence reports received by police has risen from 67 in 2012 to 153 (so far) this year. <\/p>\n
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Link: Comments(2) POLICE in Bristol are tackling a surge in human trafficking and modern day slavery. Figures obtained by the Bristol Post show Avon and Somerset constabulary is dealing with 153 tip-offs so far this year, more than double the number for the whole of 2012. A Freedom of Information request to the force's specialist human trafficking team also revealed arrests and charges have more than quadrupled. Continue reading
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