Memorandum submitted by Child Exploitation
and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
On Tuesday 21 October 2008, in my capacity as
the Chief Executive officer of the Child Exploitation and Online
Protection Centre (CEOP) and the Association of Chief Police Officer's
lead on child trafficking, I gave evidence to the Home Affairs
Select Committee. The Committee asked if I would follow up in
writing on a number of issues; these are outlined below. I would
like to apologise for the delay in our response.
NUMBER OF
VICTIMS
Following a discussion around the scale of trafficking
across the European Union (Q359), Mr Gwyn Prosser MP asked about
a statistic from Europol estimating that figures may be as high
as 100,000 victims of child trafficking a year. I stated at the
time that I thought this figure may be have been an error and,
having now checked with Europol, I am able to confirm that this
figure was actually 1,000, and related to one specific investigation.
Evidence to support this can be found in the response given by
Mr Ratzel from Europol to the Committee on Tuesday 14 October
2008.
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
REPORT
Mr Winnick MP enquired about an article that
had been written in the Sunday Telegraph (Q366) on 3 February
2008 featuring a Nigerian girl, who—it was reported—had
been exploited in the UK and who (according to the article), went
to the police to report trafficking and claimed her complaint
was never followed up.
I was asked that CEOP look further into this
specific case and I arranged for enquiries with the police force
in question. I am now able to confirm that, following contact
with the Metropolitan Police, they report that no person using
that name or details could be found in their records; therefore,
they suggest that either facts have been changed in the article
or the details reported are incorrect. I am sorry that I have
not been able to resolve this particular issue and would suggest
that you contact the journalist responsible for the article for
further information.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
UK BORDER AGENCY
(UKBA)
Mr Bob Russell MP asked that CEOP provide written
recommendations for the Committee in relation to immigration officials
at ports of entry (Q378). The UKBA have recently launched their
Code of Practice for Keeping Children Safe. I have been involved
in the consultation regarding their referral process to Local
Authority Children's Services where children are identified at
risk. I would commend the work of UKBA's Children's Champion office
in carrying this work forward.
Our recommendations for UKBA Officials would
be:
(i) continue the good progress they have made
on raising awareness of trafficking and other risks to children
coming into the UK from abroad;
(ii) more training and tools to be delivered
to frontline staff in order to ensure the capability of officials
in keeping children safe;
(iii) ensuring Immigration officials have sufficient
time and authority to identify and properly respond to any concerns
they may have regarding the children they come across; and
(iv) encouraging the consistent use of local
protocols between UKBA, local police and children's services.
I also hope that we can move towards a position
where UKBA will become part of the safeguarding community through
Section 11 (Children's Act 2004).
RAISING AWARENESS
OF NSPCC CTAIL
Mr Clappison MP, following a discussion around
the effectiveness of the NSPCC Child Trafficking Advisory Information
Line (CTAIL) (Q386), suggested that the Committee may be able
to help in raising awareness of the service. CEOP would ask that
you include the following in your final report to assist with
this matter.
The dynamic work of CTAIL continues to flourish
as awareness of their service grows amongst front line statutory
agencies. In order to help improve this position I ask that:
(i) clear messages regarding its existence and
service continue to be included in relevant Government guidance
relating to safeguarding and child protection across all four
home nations;
(ii) public backing and support so that front
statutory agencies feel comfortable using the service; and
(iii) the extension and dissemination of CTAIL
materials to the health and education sectors.
It is also pertinent to note that funding for
CTAIL (jointly provided by Home Office and Comic Relief) is due
to end in July 2009. I ask that you recommend that the Government
should consider extending this funding for a further three years
to ensure that all frontline professionals can continue to access
specific advice and expertise to help safeguard children from
this vile trade and abuse.
MISSING CHILDREN
Mr David Davies MP asked that CEOP provide the
Committee with an idea of the number of children who have disappeared
from Local Authority run homes (Q356), the different types of
accommodation available and the level of security at each. I am
afraid that CEOP are unable to provide this information and would
recommend that you contact the DCSF, as this falls within their
area of responsibility.
I would however, like to refer you to CEOP's
2007 Scoping Report on Child Trafficking in the UK. Of the 330
actual and potential cases of child trafficking that were collated
for the scoping report, it was found that 183 (55% of the total)
were found to be missing. More contemporary data will be available
in the Strategic Threat Assessment due to be published by CEOP
towards the end of March this year. I will ensure that a copy
is forwarded to you for information.
January 2009
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