UK Pentameter 2

Despite the fact that Parliament abolished the slave trade in the British Empire over 200 years ago, certain elements in society have continued to exploit others illegally for their own benefit. In 2007 the Government indicated a commitment to redoubling efforts to address this modern day form of slavery. UK Pentameter 2 (UKP2) is the second phase of a unique national operation against the Trafficking of Human Beings (THB) for sexual exploitation.

The growing issue of human trafficking was one that government and law enforcement agencies have been keen to tackle for many years. It was made one of the main priorities during the UK’s presidencies of the EU and G8, and led to the EU Human Trafficking Action Plan being implemented late in 2005.

The background

In early 2006, the Home Office and Scottish Executive undertook a national consultation on proposals to tackle human trafficking. The UK Action Plan on tackling human trafficking soon followed, bringing together all the work underway across government and with partners.

The plan set out 62 practical measures in the following four key areas:

•Prevention

•Enforcement/ investigation and prosecution

•Protection and assistance to adult victims

•Child trafficking

Operation Pentameter followed.

Pentameter (1) was an operation with the aims of raising national awareness of the issue of trafficking, identifying the scale of the problem, the recovery of victims and reduction of harm and making the UK a hostile environment for those involved in trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

During the Operation – for which planning began in 2005 and was officially concluded in May 2006 – over 500 premises were visited, close to 200 women were rescued, 232 people were arrested and 134 charged with a variety of offences.

“The results have surpassed expectation,” said Dr Tim Brain, spokesperson on prostitution and related vice matters and Gold Commander for Pentameter.

“The aim of Pentameter was to adopt a philosophy of ‘turning the stone’. It did exactly that, as shown by the results achieved.

“Furthermore, it was a clear demonstration of how the British Police service can respond to the threat of increasing organised crime,” he added.

Despite the success of the first Pentameter operation, Dr Brain said that there remains more work to be done to address “modern-day slavery”, and commended the introduction of the UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) – a positive outcome of the operation. The centre will spearhead the continuing fight against human trafficking in all its forms.

Vernon Coaker, Under-Secretary of State for policing, Security and Community Safety, said that on speaking to victims of this crime rescued by the Operation, he had been sharply reminded of its worth and necessity.

“They (the victims) remind us of the importance of Operation Pentameter and bring into sharp focus the horrific reality of those who are trafficked into the UK to be forced into sexual slavery,” he said.

“They also challenge us all to carry on with its (Penatameter’s) work.”

UK Pentameter 2 (UKP2)

In a letter to the agencies participating in Pentameter 2, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith explained the Government’s approach to tackling trafficking and stressed the importance of redoubling efforts to address “modern day slavery”.

She added: “It is only by combining our efforts in a coordinated way that we can maximise our effectiveness and make the UK a hostile environment for human traffickers.

“I believe that this operation can not only build on the success of Pentameter 1 but will make a major difference on the ground by protecting and supporting victims whilst increasing the number of arrests and prosecutions of those criminals behind this serious crime.

“Pentameter 2 is the next stage in ensuring that the UK is a hostile environment for such criminals and will send out a clear message that as a society we will not