Today (18 October) is Anti Slavery Day

Anti-Slavery Day was created by Act of Parliament in 2010, with the intention of raising awareness of modern slavery and to inspire people to eliminate it. 

Today provides an opportunity to draw attention to the subject and remind government, local authorities, public institutions, private and public companies and individuals of the need to address the scale and scope of human trafficking.

It is widely acknowledged that somewhere between two and four million people are trafficked across international borders or within their own countries on an annual basis. 

It is shocking to think that in 2012, there are more people across the world being held in slavery and servitude, than there were at the time of the abolition of slavery over 200 years ago.  

This type of crime is a major source of funding for organised criminals, and terrorism, within  Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and internationally. 

In recent years your Police Service has recognised the growing issue of human trafficking in Northern Ireland. We have dedicated resources from within Crime Operations Department to proactively identify and target the individuals and organised crime gangs involved and raise awareness in the community of the issue. We have also worked with partner agencies to ensure  appropriate support mechanisms are in place to help those victims, men, women and children, when rescued. 

In the past few years over 80 potential victims of human trafficking have been rescued and provided with support in Northern Ireland. The most prevalent form of exploitation encountered was for sexual purposes, predominately in off-street prostitution - something which has been described as "rape for profit". 

Other forms of exploitation encountered include labour exploitation in various industries and indeed domestic servitude. Individuals have also been subjected to exploitation within criminal enterprises, for example cannabis cultivation,  highlighting the importance of distinguishing between those engaged willingly in criminal offending and those who are the subject of exploitation.  

The trafficking of people is a gross violation of a human rights and should not be tolerated within any society, far less within 21st Century Northern Ireland. The reality is that it could be happening in your local area, in your city, town or village or even right next door to where you live. 

We will continue to do everything within our powers to make Northern Ireland a hostile place for Human Traffickers, but we need your help.

If you see anything suspicious; people regularly coming and going from premises with no apparent legitimate reason, then please tell us.  Speak to your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, call us at the PSNI Organised Crime Branch on 0845 600 8000 or tell us anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 11.  

Find out more about this issue at www.blueblindfold.co.uk or www.ukhtc.org - your help could rescue a vulnerable victim from the horror of modern day slavery.