A MAJOR police operation against human trafficking has led to arrests in

Gravesend.

Police visited five premises to track down victims of the sex trade and

three people were arrested for suspected immigration offences.

The county-wide operation saw more than 50 locations investigated by police

and about 50 arrests.

It was part of a campaign led by the Home Office and the Association of

Chief Police Officers called Pentameter 2, which hopes to stop the

exploitation of illegal workers.

Human trafficking is not just limited to those being brought into the UK,

nor is it only women who are affected. Men and children can also be big

business and all different types of work including domestic service and

labouring, as well as the sex industry, can be a market.

Assistant Chief Constable Allyn Thomas who co-ordinated the operation in Kent

said: "This campaign highlights the continuous efforts Kent Police makes to

identify victims of trafficking.

"It is important that we make contact with victims to show them there is

help and support available. In identifying sex workers who may have been

forced against their will into prostitution, we can try to show them that

there is a safe route out of what can be, for some, a desperate situation."

If you have any information about trafficking call Kent Police on 01622 690

690 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.