Human Trafficking:A Police Response

DS Robin Veitch,

National Human Trafficking Unit

Introduction

• Police Scotland – National Human Trafficking Unit

• A Scottish Perspective

• Case study

• Areas of exploitation

• Conclusion

National Human Trafficking Unit

• Public Protection Unit

• Scottish Crime Campus, Gartcosh

• Specialist Crime Departments

• Partner Law Enforcement Agencies

Specialist Crime Division Governance

Deputy Chief Constable Iain LivingstoneCrime & Operational Support

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm GrahamMajor Crime & Public Protection

Assistant Chief Constable Ruaraidh NicolsonOrganised Crime, Counter Terrorism &

Safer Communities

Public Protection &

Divisional CrimeMajor Crime

Intelligence Support

Support, Co-ordination & Safer

Communities

Organised Crime&

Counter Terrorism

Human Trafficking – Informed Strategy

• Police Scotland Strategic Group• Police Scotland Tactical Group• Police Scotland Partners Group

• Anti Trafficking Progress Group

• National Human Trafficking Unit

• 14 Divisional Human Trafficking Champions

14 Divisions

Key:

Division 1 Aberdeen CityDivision 2 Aberdeenshire and MorayDivision 3 TaysideDivision 4 Highland and IslandsDivision 5 Forth ValleyDivision 6 Edinburgh CityDivision 7 The Lothians and Scottish BordersDivision 8 FifeDivision 9 GlasgowDivision 10 AyrshireDivision 11 LanarkshireDivision 12 Argyll and Bute & West DunbartonshireDivision 13 Renfrewshire and InverclydeDivision 14 Dumfries and Galloway

4

4

2 1

3

12 5 8

13 9 117

6

10

14

Resources

• Victim Care Strategy

• e-learning package

• Standard Operating Procedure

• Human Trafficking Handbook

• Interview Strategies

Commonwealth Games 2014

• Action Plan

• Intelligence Requirement

• No increase in trafficking

• Increase in enquiries

Human Trafficking

• April 2014 – NHTU Statistics

• 73 Incidents

• 17 Crimes (some outwith Scotland)

• 6 Reports submitted (Police Scotland)

NRM Figures Jan - June 2014

• 56 Potential Victims

• 41 Adults

• 15 Children (persons under 18)

Source Countries

Types of Exploitation - Children

Police Investigation• Victim focussed – what are their needs/requirements

• Medical assistance

• TARA – Migrant Help – SWD (assistance for victim)

• Brief statement to ensure safety of others

• Work closely with NGO’s to facilitate further statement at pace of victim

• Work towards best outcome for victim

Difficulties of Investigation

Difficulties include:

•Language•Geography•Vulnerability•Fear•Traumatisation•Consent/understanding of this

Victim Vulnerability

• Debt Bonded• Alcohol or drug dependent• Mental health issues• Vulnerable due to age

• Homeless• Jobless• Legal or illegal migrant• Can’t speak english

Types of Exploitation - ScotlandLabour Exploitation

• Large amount of manual labour required• European workers – usually low paid in large groups• Illegal workers – low paid, kept in/provided accommodation • Unsavoury or laborious work

• Agriculture• Fishing• Construction • Demolition• Restaurant worker• Cannabis Cultivation

Sexual Exploitation

• Normally found in large cities and towns• Private Low Rent Flats, Hotels, Lap Dancing Bars, Saunas• Online Escort Sites

• Any Nationality is susceptible • Mostly Female but also transgender

• Most alert to fact that one female occupant of premises does not constitute a brothel

Domestic Servitude

• Predominantly found in Asian, African and Middle Eastern cultures

• House Servants – Child minders, Cleaning etc.• Victims often part of Forced or Arranged Marriage

• Control measures are difficult to understand and often have freedom of movement

Organ Trafficking

• Persons moved for purposes of organ harvesting• Semen or blood may also be harvested

• Mainly seen in Balkan States or Far East

• Only 2 Cases in UK – Chinese Community

Criminal Exploitation

• Usually found in large Towns and Cities• Predominantly Vulnerable or Young Persons• Victims normally controlled by OCG

• Shoplifting, Cannabis Cultivation, Scrap Metal Theft, Forced Begging

• Sometimes extreme control measures

EU Directive 2011/36

Article 8 –

“member states shall take all necessary steps to ensure that they are entitled not to prosecute or impose penalties on victims of trafficking”

Main Offences Associated with Human Trafficking

Scottish Legislation is as follows:

Section 4, Asylum and Immigration Act (Treatment of Claimants etc) Act 2004(incorporates the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 changes to provisions) – General Exploitation

Section 22, Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (as amended by section 46 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010) – Trafficking in Prostitution

Section 47 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 provides for the offence of knowingly holding someone in slavery or servitude, or requiring them to perform forced or compulsory labour

Legislation - Scotland

• Although disparate understandable

• Reflects Palermo Protocol

• Allowance made for vulnerability through age

• 19 cases reported by police over past two years

Conclusion

• Legal and moral duty

• Partnership Working

• Identify and support victims

• International Engagement

• Approach in Police Scotland, focused, victim centred

Contact

SCDhumantrafficking@scotland.pnn.police.uk

National Human Trafficking Unit

Telephone: 01236 818475

Police – 101 Emergency – 999

Crime stoppers – 0800 555 111

Modern Slavery Helpline – 0800 0121 700