Current timestamp: 22/05/2022 18:06:27
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

SOH-Crest-Varied sizes large

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • How to tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
    • Possible breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Register as an overseas visitor
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Request your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

You wouldn't leave a child in danger, right?

Main article content

Navigation

News

13:25 28/06/2021

We often think it doesn’t happen in Surrey.

It does.

Child trafficking is where children and young people are tricked, forced or persuaded to leave their homes and are moved or transported and then exploited or forced to work or sold by organised criminal gangs.

It’s a common misconception that child trafficking is something that only affects third world countries, but sadly that’s simply not the case. That’s why Surrey Police is this week (Monday, 28 June – Sunday, 4 July) supporting Operation Aidant, a country wide operation to target child trafficking in Surrey and across the country. The operational aim of the campaign is to stop child trafficking and exploitation of under 18s who are UK and non-UK nationals, as well as raising vital awareness of this hidden crime.

Trafficked children are some of the most vulnerable in the UK. They are usually too afraid to seek help and it is hard to remove them from the people exploiting them.

From our own experience and in consultation with communities, we know this kind of abuse is under-reported. Surrey Police is asking the public to be more vigilant in spotting the signs indicating possible child trafficking.

Spotting the signs can prevent escalation from ‘subtle’ harms that may often go unnoticed by many, to ‘extreme’ situations where there is loss of life. A child victim is unlikely to recognise that they’re a victim so won’t seek help. That’s why we need the public and everyone else to be alert and act on the child’s behalf.

What are the signs of child trafficking?

Identifying a child who has been trafficked can be very difficult, as they are intentionally hidden and isolated from the services and communities who can identify and protect them.

A trafficked child may:

  • lack personal items or toys
  • wear the same clothes
  • give a prepared story which is very similar to stories given by other children
  • be unsure which country, city or town they're in
  • have no documents (or have falsified documents)
  • rarely leave their house, have no freedom of movement and no time for playing
  • be unable or reluctant to give details of accommodation or personal details
  • not have access to their parents or guardians
  • not be registered with a school or a GP practice
  • spend a lot of time doing household chores
  • be orphaned or live apart from their family, often in unregulated private foster care
  • live in substandard accommodation (a work address or dirty, cramped, unhygienic or overcrowded accommodation, including caravans, sheds, tents or outbuildings)
  • be seen in inappropriate places - such as brothels or factories
  • possess money or goods they can't account for
  • be permanently deprived of a large part of their earnings (for example if they're required to earn a minimum amount of money every day or pay off an exorbitant debt)
  • have injuries from workplace accidents
  • have tattoos or other marks indicating ownership
  • often be moved by others between specific locations (for example to and from work) – this may happen at unusual times such as very early in the day or at night
  • be involved in the consumption, sale, trafficking of drugs
  • be reluctant to seek help, avoidance of strangers, being fearful or hostile towards authorities

The warning signs presented by children and young people who are being exploited will be different for everyone.

If you encounter a situation which doesn’t seem right, even if you’re not quite sure about it, we encourage you to report it by contacting Surrey Police on 101 (999 in an emergency)

You can also give information, 100% anonymously, to the independent charity Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700; or through their anonymous online form: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Surrey Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • About us
  • Jobs
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the police
  • Police & Crime Commissioner

Follow us on

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.