Anti-trafficking unit saved from axe

The UK's only specialist police unit to combat human trafficking has been saved from the axe, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said today.

The Metropolitan Police's human trafficking team was set to close in April next year due to a lack of money.

But Mr Straw told MPs the unit would be funded jointly by the Met and the Home Office for the next financial year with a review to ensure finance is available in future years.

Home Office funding for the unit was set to end in April 2009 and it was announced last month the unit would close.

Mr Straw said: "There was an issue about the continuation of the human trafficking unit in the Metropolitan Police over funding.

"However I'm happy to report to the House that this has been resolved for the forthcoming financial year by agreement to fund it jointly between the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police.

"Meanwhile there is an urgent review being carried out to ensure that future funding is assured."

The unit - the country's only specialist operational anti-trafficking team - has secured a string of convictions including those last month of a gang of brothel owners and sex-traffickers.

Eleven men were given sentences of up to 14 years after Southwark Crown Court was told about the ordeal suffered by a 16-year-old Slovakian girl lured in to sex slavery. After the case the Home Office said combating human trafficking was a "key Government priority".

News of its potential closure was greeted with dismay by campaigners working to end the crime known as the "modern day slave trade".

Labour former Home Office minister Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) welcomed Mr Straw's announcement but accused the Met of "brinkmanship".

She said: "The Metropolitan Police decided they wanted to up the ante and get a bit more money out of the Home Office and so they did what you do when you want more money from your paymasters - you threaten to shut something they really care about.

"That's what it sounds to me has happened."