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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| People-trafficking centre to open | People-trafficking centre to open |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Europe's first dedicated centre for victims of people trafficking is due to open in Sheffield. | |
| The Human Trafficking Centre will aim to provide specialist care for the victims - mostly women brought from abroad and forced into prostitution. | The Human Trafficking Centre will aim to provide specialist care for the victims - mostly women brought from abroad and forced into prostitution. |
| South Yorkshire Police, which runs the facility, said it would help to build their knowledge and understanding of trafficking in the UK. | South Yorkshire Police, which runs the facility, said it would help to build their knowledge and understanding of trafficking in the UK. |
| There are thought to be hundreds of trafficked women in this country. | There are thought to be hundreds of trafficked women in this country. |
| 'Heinous crime' | 'Heinous crime' |
| Specially trained police, lawyers and immigration officials will work at the facility. | |
| They will continue the work of Operation Pentameter - the UK's first national campaign to target human trafficking in the sex industry. | They will continue the work of Operation Pentameter - the UK's first national campaign to target human trafficking in the sex industry. |
| The centre has the potential to subvert traffickers using the UK as a destination country Poppy Project spokeswoman | The centre has the potential to subvert traffickers using the UK as a destination country Poppy Project spokeswoman |
| But the Sheffield centre will also deal with trafficking involving labour exploitation, children and domestic servants. | But the Sheffield centre will also deal with trafficking involving labour exploitation, children and domestic servants. |
| Deputy Chief Constable Graham Maxwell called it a "heinous crime" and said the facility would take a "victim-centred approach". | Deputy Chief Constable Graham Maxwell called it a "heinous crime" and said the facility would take a "victim-centred approach". |
| "So that when a person is discovered who has been trafficked, that first point of contact is a positive one and we have the right support mechanisms in place to look after their welfare." | "So that when a person is discovered who has been trafficked, that first point of contact is a positive one and we have the right support mechanisms in place to look after their welfare." |
| OPERATION PENTAMETER 515 properties raided in UK and Ireland84 women rescued including 12 children Women were from Africa, Malaysia, Thailand and eastern Europe More than £300,000 cash recovered232 arrests made134 charges brought | OPERATION PENTAMETER 515 properties raided in UK and Ireland84 women rescued including 12 children Women were from Africa, Malaysia, Thailand and eastern Europe More than £300,000 cash recovered232 arrests made134 charges brought |
| He said many of the victims had been forced into the sex industry and had effectively been raped up to 30 times a day - and some did not even know which country they were in. | He said many of the victims had been forced into the sex industry and had effectively been raped up to 30 times a day - and some did not even know which country they were in. |
| Experts at the Sheffield centre will also offer training to police forces across the country. | Experts at the Sheffield centre will also offer training to police forces across the country. |
| The Poppy Project, which provides support and accommodation to women who have been trafficked for the purposes of prostitution, welcomed the centre. | The Poppy Project, which provides support and accommodation to women who have been trafficked for the purposes of prostitution, welcomed the centre. |
| A spokeswoman said: "The centre has the potential to subvert traffickers using the UK as a destination country. | A spokeswoman said: "The centre has the potential to subvert traffickers using the UK as a destination country. |
| "It also sends a message to the women on the Poppy scheme that the UK will implement measures to protect and value women who are victims of human trafficking." | "It also sends a message to the women on the Poppy scheme that the UK will implement measures to protect and value women who are victims of human trafficking." |