Calls on professionals to be vigilant to help fight child trafficking

On Friday, the government called on people working with children, community groups and faith groups to help stamp out child trafficking by being extra vigilant and alerting the authorities to their concerns.

In new guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children - Safeguarding Children who may have been Trafficked, issued jointly by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and Home Office, local agencies are asked to raise awareness in their communities of ways to identify a child or young person who may have been trafficked and places where these children can get help.

The guidance suggests that practitioners and members of the public who are worried that a child in their area may have been trafficked into and within the country should be encouraged to contact the police or the NSPCC helplines.

Signs that indicate that a child may have been trafficked include:

Children's Minister Kevin Brennan said: "Many trafficked children are too frightened to come forward, so it's vital that both professionals and the public are aware of this issue and know how they can raise the alarm".

The guidance is available on the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Home Office websites at www.dcsf.gov.uk. and www.homeoffice.gov.uk.