A WELSH Government minister has called on the rest of the UK to follow Wales’ lead in tackling human trafficking.
Minister for Local Government and Communities Carl Sargeant said yesterday that he will encourage the UK government to ensure they have the appropriate mechanisms in place to tackle the crime.
His views come nearly a year after the Welsh Government appointed the first anti human trafficking co-oordinator in the UK, in April 2011.
Over the next few months, all Welsh police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service will have special training to deal with the issue, the minister said.
An intelligence-led response will be in place to tackle any potential human trafficking during the Olympic Games, while the co-ordinator has worked closely with other organisations to strengthen ports.
The minister said the work will continue to make sure there is a firm grip on the issue in Wales.
He said: “It is important that we do not lose this momentum but build on the awareness raising and training that has been delivered by the anti human trafficking co-ordinator, ensuring that we have a zero tolerance of the people who traffic, and that we support the victims in the most appropriate way.”
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