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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
Combating child trafficking
May 11, 2011 3:28 PM
• [Mar 07] Dee Doocey writes: I HAVE raised many issues over the years as a London Assembly Member and member of the Metropolitan Police Authority. But there are no issues I feel more passionate about than child trafficking. That's why I've made it my top priority as a new Member of the House of Lords. I have already tabled a series of written questions about child trafficking and my first oral question is about this issue . .
Children as young as 12 years old can travel unaccompanied from the Continent on Eurostar . . the criminals behind child trafficking are diverting their trade to other routes into the UK. As long as the Eurostar route has relatively lax controls, it is an obvious alternative for criminals to exploit. It is therefore essential to have a dedicated child protection team at St Pancras, to stop trafficked children entering this country to be used for benefit fraud and sexual exploitation.
It is time that this issue was fully investigated by the Home Office. And if new procedures must be agreed and implemented with our European partners to protect children travelling to the UK, then so be it. In the meantime, I hope my question on Monday helps initiate real action in addressing the horrific issue of children being trafficked into the very heart of London.
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