Human Trafficking: Greater London
Home Department
Written answers and statements, 19 October 2009
John Austin (Erith & Thamesmead, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether additional resources will be available for the Metropolitan Police to counteract any trafficking in human beings associated with the number of tourists expected to attend the London 2012 Olympics.
Alan Campbell (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office; Tynemouth, Labour)
Human trafficking is core police business and as such should be resourced from within existing budgets.
Intelligence on human trafficking is assessed on a quarterly basis as part of the Olympics Organised Crime Threat Assessment. While intelligence does not suggest that there is any increase in human trafficking linked to the Olympics at the moment we remain vigilant. To this end the Clubs and Vice Unit of the Metropolitan police is working over the next three years to disrupt prostitution and recover victims, including victims of trafficking in the five Olympic boroughs.
Should the intelligence indicate an increase in trafficking we shall ensure that the appropriate measures are in place.