EVERY trainee police officer in Romania is to receive special training in human trafficking from Warwickshire Police.
The Romanian police force and border authorities approached DCI Andrews, Warwickshire Police’s trafficking and exploitation lead, after he presented a conference on human trafficking in Romania.
They wanted him to help them become more victim focused when tackling the exploitation and trafficking of vulnerable people, many of whom may end up trafficked into the sex trade across Europe.
He was invited to deliver a training course to 25 border officials based at Bucharest Airport, which led him on to deliver training sessions to police officers from around Romania, and now trainees.
DCI Andrews is something of an expert on modern slavery and human trafficking. He has given evidence to House of Lords and House of Commons committees reviewing the Modern Slavery Act, delivered training inputs to officers from Denmark and Germany and helped negotiate a bilateral agreement between the UK and Romanian governments to tackle the exploitation of vulnerable people.
DCI Andrews said: “It’s great to have been a part of something that has made such a difference to the lives of people who are being exploited across the continent.
“Sadly though, the trafficking and sexual exploitation of people continues, and we know that many people trafficked out of Romania can end up as victims of sexual exploitation he in the UK.
“It’s happening in this country – it’s happening in Warwickshire. Some of these women will be from overseas, others will be British. We all need to be on the lookout for the signs and report concerns.”
Signs that someone might be experiencing adult sexual exploitation include appearing guarded, showing signs of physical abuse and not being allowed to keep or having limited access to money.
