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| People-trafficking centre opens | People-trafficking centre opens |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| Europe's first dedicated centre for victims of people trafficking has opened in Sheffield. | Europe's first dedicated centre for victims of people trafficking has opened 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. |
| To be run by South Yorkshire Police, the facility is the first of its kind in the UK, where academics and experts will tackle trafficking under one roof. | To be run by South Yorkshire Police, the facility is the first of its kind in the UK, where academics and experts will tackle trafficking under one roof. |
| There are thought to be hundreds of trafficked women in the UK. | There are thought to be hundreds of trafficked women in the UK. |
| 'Heinous crime' | 'Heinous crime' |
| Specially trained police, lawyers and immigration officials will work at the facility. | 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 'I was trafficked at 15' | The centre has the potential to subvert traffickers using the UK as a destination country Poppy Project spokeswoman 'I was trafficked at 15' |
| 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 trafficking a "heinous crime" and said the facility would take a "victim-centred approach". | Deputy Chief Constable Graham Maxwell called trafficking 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. | He said many of the victims had been forced into the sex industry and had effectively been raped up to 30 times a day. |
| Some did not even know which country they were in. | 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." |
| 'Beaten and raped' | 'Beaten and raped' |
| Solicitor General Mike O' Brien opened the centre at a secret location in the city on Tuesday. | Solicitor General Mike O' Brien opened the centre at a secret location in the city on Tuesday. |
| He said: "Most trafficked victims in the UK come from Eastern Europe or the Far East, but they can arrive from anywhere in the world. | He said: "Most trafficked victims in the UK come from Eastern Europe or the Far East, but they can arrive from anywhere in the world. |
| "Some victims do not even realise they are being trafficked until they arrive and find that the job of a waitress is really enforced servitude as a prostitute, including being beaten and raped." | "Some victims do not even realise they are being trafficked until they arrive and find that the job of a waitress is really enforced servitude as a prostitute, including being beaten and raped." |
| Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker also toured the new facility and met the staff. If you, or anyone you know, has been affected by this story you can contact us using the form below: | |