Tories unveil anti-trafficking plan

The Conservatives have unveiled a six-point plan to combat the problem of human trafficking.

Shadow home secretary David Davis announced the initiative on Wednesday, pledging to sign and ratify the 2005 European convention on the subject if the Tories win power.

He pointed out that between 700,000 and two million women and children are trafficked across international borders every year, with an estimated 4,000 victims in the UK smuggled into the country for prostitution.

And he claimed that there have only been 30 convictions for trafficking offences in the past two years.

As well as signing the convention, Davis argued that the Tory policy of establishing a dedicated British border police force would also help.

He also suggested separate immigration interviews at all airports for women and children travelling alone with an adult who is not a parent, guardian or husband, greater co-ordination between the government departments and Serious Organised Crime Agency, individual trafficking strategies for every police force and a new information helpline.

"This year marks the anniversary of 200 years since William Wilberforce, a man from my part of the world, ended the abhorrent slave trade," he said.
 
"Yet whilst we celebrate this, it is important to remember those who are victims of what the UN has termed 'the modern slave trade'.

"Human trafficking is a hideous trade in human misery, which is spiralling out of control at the moment.

"We must stop ignoring it and start to tackle the criminal gangs who perpetrate it, and to protect the victims of it.

"Today we are announcing policies based on policing our borders, protecting the victims and prosecuting the traffickers.

"We would also sign and ratify the European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings 2005."