This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37622798

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
UK must lead human trafficking fight, says Theresa May UK must lead human trafficking fight, says Theresa May
(about 4 hours later)
The UK must lead the global fight against human trafficking, Prime Minister Theresa May will say later.The UK must lead the global fight against human trafficking, Prime Minister Theresa May will say later.
Mrs May will tell a Westminster Abbey service that the UK will "work tirelessly" to combat modern slavery.Mrs May will tell a Westminster Abbey service that the UK will "work tirelessly" to combat modern slavery.
A "radical approach" is needed "to target every aspect of this despicable trade and put the slave-drivers out of business for good", she will say.A "radical approach" is needed "to target every aspect of this despicable trade and put the slave-drivers out of business for good", she will say.
The service will be held in honour of 18th-Century anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce. The UK's anti-slavery commissioner said victims were failed by "chronic weaknesses" within law enforcement.
Kevin Hyland, who was appointed by Mrs May when she was home secretary, said "substandard" crime recording in England and Wales had led to fewer investigations being launched into modern slavery cases.
In his first annual report, he said: "Inadequacies in this area impact not only present and future victims, but could also allow organised crime groups to act with impunity, compromising the UK's national security."
The Home Office estimates that there are between 10,000 and 13,000 potential victims of human trafficking in Britain and the global figure is 45 million.The Home Office estimates that there are between 10,000 and 13,000 potential victims of human trafficking in Britain and the global figure is 45 million.
'I was trafficked from Romania''I was trafficked from Romania'
Mihaela was trafficked three times across Europe from Romania to work in the sex trade against her will.Mihaela was trafficked three times across Europe from Romania to work in the sex trade against her will.
"In the mornings and afternoons I'd have 15 clients," she says."In the mornings and afternoons I'd have 15 clients," she says.
"In the evenings, through to the next morning, they'd bring another 20 to me.""In the evenings, through to the next morning, they'd bring another 20 to me."
The 26-year-old says she was trafficked out of Romania to Hungary, Austria and Switzerland with a gun to her head - the first time when she was aged just 16.The 26-year-old says she was trafficked out of Romania to Hungary, Austria and Switzerland with a gun to her head - the first time when she was aged just 16.
"I had a lover and he was part of the mafia traffickers," she says."I had a lover and he was part of the mafia traffickers," she says.
Mihaela's story: Trafficked from Romania.Mihaela's story: Trafficked from Romania.
The most common countries of origin in UK cases are Nigeria, Vietnam, Romania, Poland and Albania.The most common countries of origin in UK cases are Nigeria, Vietnam, Romania, Poland and Albania.
'Appalling crimes''Appalling crimes'
As home secretary, Mrs May was responsible for passing the Modern Slavery Act last year - the first of its kind in Europe.As home secretary, Mrs May was responsible for passing the Modern Slavery Act last year - the first of its kind in Europe.
She also appointed an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Kevin Hyland, who will release his first annual report later. The Westminster service is to be held in honour of 18th-Century anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce
Mrs May will tell the congregation: "Our challenge is to ensure that the fight against slavery carries on - to free people from the bonds of servitude, to free those in mental chains, and to free people from the clutches of slave-drivers and traffickers.Mrs May will tell the congregation: "Our challenge is to ensure that the fight against slavery carries on - to free people from the bonds of servitude, to free those in mental chains, and to free people from the clutches of slave-drivers and traffickers.
"I want Britain at the forefront of this fight, leading the world with our efforts to stamp out modern slavery.""I want Britain at the forefront of this fight, leading the world with our efforts to stamp out modern slavery."
Who was William Wilberforce?Who was William Wilberforce?
She will say that £33m will be used from the aid budget to focus on high-risk countries, from where victims are regularly trafficked to the UK.She will say that £33m will be used from the aid budget to focus on high-risk countries, from where victims are regularly trafficked to the UK.
"We will work tirelessly, relentlessly pursuing the perpetrators of these appalling crimes so that victims of slavery can go free," Mrs May will say."We will work tirelessly, relentlessly pursuing the perpetrators of these appalling crimes so that victims of slavery can go free," Mrs May will say.
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 says an offence is committed if someone holds another in slavery or servitude or requires them to perform forced or compulsory labour.The Modern Slavery Act 2015 says an offence is committed if someone holds another in slavery or servitude or requires them to perform forced or compulsory labour.
The legislation increased the maximum jail term for people traffickers from 14 years to life, and gave courts in England and Wales powers to impose orders to restrict the activities of suspected traffickers.The legislation increased the maximum jail term for people traffickers from 14 years to life, and gave courts in England and Wales powers to impose orders to restrict the activities of suspected traffickers.
It was aimed at consolidating offences used to prosecute those who enslaved others into a single act.It was aimed at consolidating offences used to prosecute those who enslaved others into a single act.