Euro MP welcomes important step in fight against human trafficking

9.52.22am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 5th Oct 2006

Liz Lynne addresses the European Parliament

Wolverhampton's Liberal Democrat member of the European Parliament, Liz Lynne, a long-time campaigner against human trafficking, has welcomed the opening 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"

Many trafficked women are brought from eastern Europe and forced into prostitution

Liz continued "Having recently met 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."

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