MPA concern over growing menace of trafficking young people for sex trade

79/02
24 July 2002

The Metropolitan Police Authority has called for stiffer penalties for the illegal trafficking of young people for use in prostitution and pornography, a trade that has netted criminal gangs more than £60 million in the last three years.

The Authority's Planning, Performance and Review Committee will now lobby for changes to allow courts to give traffickers longer sentences.

Richard Sumray, Chair of the Committee, said:

"The young people involved are subjected to sexual and physical abuse to intimidate them into a life of sexual exploitation.

"Many are very young and become victims of paedophiles and suffer appalling abuse so that the criminal gangs who organise the trade can make huge profits.

"Unfortunately, if any of the people running the trade are caught, they are charged with living off immoral earnings. Under present guidelines, courts are encouraged to pass prison sentences of up to two years although the maximum penalty allowed is ten years.

"We feel that the sentence should reflect more fully the seriousness of the offence, including the exploitation of young people who live in fear of the gangsters and pimps who control them."

The Committee received a report from Superintendent Simon Humphrey of the Met's Clubs and Vice Unit which said the trafficking industry spans brothels, massage parlours, escort agencies and table dancing clubs. It had proliferated in the last five years and resulted in a dramatic growth in related crimes of violence, drugs and firearms.

Five years ago the age range of victims was 20 - 25, today youngsters in their mid teens are not unusual. The report said that the greatest cause for concern could be described as "reverse child sex tourism", where children are delivered direct to paedophiles who therefore avoid detection through travel.

Richard Sumray added:

"The trafficking of young people is now a significant and growing problem which must be adequately addressed by bringing criminal justice up to date and passing sentences that are commensurate with
our ability to deal with this crime.

"There are UN and European directives which cover this type of criminal activity and recognise its consequences for the individual victims and the wider community. The more countries that sign up to
them the more we can work together to stop this vile trade."

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