Local authorities are failing to prepare for an impending surge in thenumber of children and young people trafficked into the UK as a resultof the 2012 Olympic Games.
International evidence has shown that large sporting events sparkincreases in child trafficking, according to campaigners. But none ofthe five Olympic boroughs have plans in place to tackle the issue.Moreover, the Metropolitan Police is considering disbanding its humantrafficking unit.
Campaigners claim the authorities will be unable to deal with theproblem unless they start now.
Lisa Nandy, policy adviser at The Children's Society, said "a hugenumber of children" are likely to be trafficked into the UK,particularly to work in the sex industry. "I'm surprised authoritiesaren't already working on this and it's worrying that the MetropolitanPolice is thinking of disbanding its human trafficking unit. Localauthorities and the police need to take a more proactive and joined-upapproach."
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