Met launch helpline to free trafficked slaves
Police opened a free helpline today for victims of human trafficking as detectives revealed they are investigating more than 80 cases in London.
Most concern sex trafficking but about 12 involve people being brought to Britain to work as domestic slaves.
The helpline, featured in a new poster campaign, is the first of its kind. It is being produced by the Met's new anti-trafficking unit, SCD9, and charity Stop the Traffik.
The posters show women attached on strings like puppets and state: "Stop traffickers controlling you. You make the call. We'll make it stop." The freephone number - 0800 783 2589 - is manned from 9am to 5pm. Messages can be left at other times.
In one recent case, a woman was rescued after three years' domestic servitude when she visited a surgery for urgent treatment and the GP intervened.
SCD9 - Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command - was set up last year after the merger of the Vice Squad and Human Trafficking unit. It has achieved 12 convictions and 20 people are awaiting trial.
Recent research found at least 2,600 women had been trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation. Campaigners believe the true figure is much higher.
