| COWBOYS WANTED |  | | | YOUR THOUGHTS: | | | | VIEW FROM THE HILL | | | | WHEELS NEWS | | |
|
|
|
Women freed after sex trafficking raid
SEX slaves have been rescued from properties in Bournemouth as part of a national clampdown on human trafficking.
Ten women forced into prostitution have been released from captivity by Dorset Police, who are certain there are more women suffering in the county.
They are urging members of the public to be alert and to report suspicious activity near their homes and are even asking men who use prostitutes to let them know if the women appear to be frightened or subdued.
Police believe there could be many more victims being forced to work as prostitutes, often in houses in residential areas.
Detective Superintendent Steve Bartlett said four Thai, five Chinese and one Malaysian women were found after a total of 29 premises, mainly in the Bournemouth area, were visited.
The searches formed part of the national Operation Pentameter Two, which freed a total of 167 victims from the clutches of sex traffickers across the UK and Ireland in a six-month period.
Hampshire Police discovered 23 victims in their searches.
"Tackling human trafficking, particularly for sexual exploitation, is a high priority for Dorset Police and we are continually seeking information to help us disrupt this evil trade and bring the perpetrators to justice," said Det Supt Bartlett. "These traffickers may operate their business anywhere in the community - people may notice suspicious activity such as large numbers of different male visitors or premises where curtains are continually drawn."
He stressed anyone who reports suspicious activity will be treated in confidence. Those with information are asked to call Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Charities aiming to help victims have urged the government to provide more funding for safe houses across the south of England. The Medaille Trust is a Catholic organisation set up with specific aim of helping people forced into the sex trade. It currently runs two safe houses and its members have spoken out to demand better treatment for victims.
"We have been offered at least six other houses and we would love to use them for trafficking victims. We have not been able to do this because we need sustainable funding from the government," said a spokesman.
The views were shared by the Pastor of Wimborne Baptist Church, Rev Robert Jones, whose church is twinned with another in Bulgaria, where many victims come from.
"My concern is what happens to these women after the police raids. They end up entering our deportation system but it would be encouraging if they were treated with a bit of sympathy."
Sorry this story disappeared for a while this morning due to technical problems 9:37am Thursday 3rd July 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: michael carpenter, BOSCOMBE on 10:17am Thu 3 Jul 08
WELL DONE AND THANK HEVEN THE WOMEN ARE NOW SAFE. BUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM NOW ? I HOPE THEY ALL GET ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED! GOOD LUCK TO THEM IN THE FUTURE.
WELL DONE AND THANK HEVEN THE WOMEN ARE NOW SAFE. BUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM NOW ? I HOPE THEY ALL GET ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED! GOOD LUCK TO THEM IN THE FUTURE.
Posted by: gunters goonies, christchurch on 1:55pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Have you seen the type of men who use prostitutes, I bet all the poor ladies looked frightened and subdued. But good they got rescued... Now we as a country will support them and house them, give them money.....beats working...
Have you seen the type of men who use prostitutes, I bet all the poor ladies looked frightened and subdued. But good they got rescued... Now we as a country will support them and house them, give them money.....beats working...
Posted by: derek, dorset on 3:50pm Thu 3 Jul 08
deport the customers and pimps of these ladies to a far away land .
deport the customers and pimps of these ladies to a far away land .
Posted by: mccherry, dorset on 4:21pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Why have the Echo deleted the post that pointed out that they are quite happy to accept adverts for these services in it`s pages whilst reporting the illegal trade it involves ? Embarresed perhaps ? PS how long till this is censored ?
Why have the Echo deleted the post that pointed out that they are quite happy to accept adverts for these services in it`s pages whilst reporting the illegal trade it involves ? Embarresed perhaps ? PS how long till this is censored ?
Posted by: hoppity, hamworthy on 4:25pm Thu 3 Jul 08
thats why we should legalise prostitution in this country then we can monitor the situation and make sure the earners pay taxes
thats why we should legalise prostitution in this country then we can monitor the situation and make sure the earners pay taxes
Posted by: rayc, Poole on 4:36pm Thu 3 Jul 08
mccherry, that was my post in which I pointed out that the Echo were part of the problem being happy to profit from the trade by accepting adverts for massage and escort services. They know, and we know, what is actually being provided and that girls taking part in it do it mainly under durress and threats.
mccherry, that was my post in which I pointed out that the Echo were part of the problem being happy to profit from the trade by accepting adverts for massage and escort services. They know, and we know, what is actually being provided and that girls taking part in it do it mainly under durress and threats.
Posted by: PokesdownMark, Pokesdown on 5:39pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote]Have you seen the type of men who use prostitutes...[/quote]
Actually I haven't.... but it sounds like you have. So I'm curious about how that would happen. Not trying to be smart... just interested.
Have you seen the type of men who use prostitutes...
Actually I haven't.... but it sounds like you have. So I'm curious about how that would happen. Not trying to be smart... just interested.
Posted by: HAL101, Bournemouth on 5:50pm Thu 3 Jul 08
The problem of unregulated prostitution has been recognised and the solution found many years ago.
Mainland Europe has properly organised (and taxed) brothels and 'brothel streets'. It is about time the UK organise this too. The present situation makes the UK look absurd. And with AIDs about it is really dangerous.
I am very surprised that, with fresh tax money in the offering, Gordon hasn't leaped at this with the speed and agility of a Greyhound start at a race meeting! I suspect someone may have put her foot down on this one.
The problem of unregulated prostitution has been recognised and the solution found many years ago.
Mainland Europe has properly organised (and taxed) brothels and 'brothel streets'. It is about time the UK organise this too. The present situation makes the UK look absurd. And with AIDs about it is really dangerous.
I am very surprised that, with fresh tax money in the offering, Gordon hasn't leaped at this with the speed and agility of a Greyhound start at a race meeting! I suspect someone may have put her foot down on this one.
Posted by: HAL101, Bournemouth on 5:52pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]rayc[/bold] wrote:
mccherry, that was my post in which I pointed out that the Echo were part of the problem being happy to profit from the trade by accepting adverts for massage and escort services. They know, and we know, what is actually being provided and that girls taking part in it do it mainly under durress and threats.[/quote] Very good point!
No wonder you were deleted!!
rayc wrote:
mccherry, that was my post in which I pointed out that the Echo were part of the problem being happy to profit from the trade by accepting adverts for massage and escort services. They know, and we know, what is actually being provided and that girls taking part in it do it mainly under durress and threats.
Very good point!
No wonder you were deleted!!
Posted by: Gastines, St.Malo ex Bournemouth on 5:59pm Thu 3 Jul 08
I posted on this site many months ago that perhaps the Echo Admin should be prosecuted for living off immoral earnings from the number of very suspect Adverts they print for Models,Escorts etc,add to this the number of mobile phone numbers for dog breeders. They could save the Police and RSPCA a lot of time. However money always talks loudest.
I posted on this site many months ago that perhaps the Echo Admin should be prosecuted for living off immoral earnings from the number of very suspect Adverts they print for Models,Escorts etc,add to this the number of mobile phone numbers for dog breeders. They could save the Police and RSPCA a lot of time. However money always talks loudest.
Posted by: Emulated, Bournemouth on 6:27pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]mccherry[/bold] wrote:
Why have the Echo deleted the post that pointed out that they are quite happy to accept adverts for these services in it`s pages whilst reporting the illegal trade it involves ? Embarresed perhaps ? PS how long till this is censored ?[/quote] Removed mine also. As I said, the Echo is out to make money, fair enough. Its not an independant paper because it gets big money from local councils through advertising and doesen't want to lose that. Ads for services are also big money when you know the costs and how often these people advertise. Makes it easier for the police though, go in as a client and see whats offered.
mccherry wrote:
Why have the Echo deleted the post that pointed out that they are quite happy to accept adverts for these services in it`s pages whilst reporting the illegal trade it involves ? Embarresed perhaps ? PS how long till this is censored ?
Removed mine also. As I said, the Echo is out to make money, fair enough. Its not an independant paper because it gets big money from local councils through advertising and doesen't want to lose that. Ads for services are also big money when you know the costs and how often these people advertise. Makes it easier for the police though, go in as a client and see whats offered.
Posted by: Chris McColl, Bournemouth on 8:19pm Thu 3 Jul 08
" [italic]thats why we should legalise prostitution in this country[/italic] "
durrrr it is, and always has been.
Probably far less regulated than most other 'professions'. No license, certificate of competence or any qualification of any kind required at all.
"
thats why we should legalise prostitution in this country "
durrrr it is, and always has been.
Probably far less regulated than most other 'professions'. No license, certificate of competence or any qualification of any kind required at all.
Posted by: ROBBIE, Bournemouth on 9:08pm Thu 3 Jul 08
As a illegal immigrants I trust they will now be deported back to their country of origin, or as expected will they be housed and supported by our benefits system.
As a illegal immigrants I trust they will now be deported back to their country of origin, or as expected will they be housed and supported by our benefits system.
Posted by: crane, Ferndown on 9:10pm Thu 3 Jul 08
"[italic]Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings[/italic] ". rayc's original posting looked fine to me...it's those adverts they need to censor, not the perfectly sensible comments from rayc.
"
Comments are not moderated but we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention and we may delete inappropriate postings ". rayc's original posting looked fine to me...it's those adverts they need to censor, not the perfectly sensible comments from rayc.
Posted by: fiona, Bournemouth on 9:51pm Thu 3 Jul 08
Yes Ive noticed the Echo allows prostitutes to advertise themselves as escorts Im surprised its legal to be honest
Yes Ive noticed the Echo allows prostitutes to advertise themselves as escorts Im surprised its legal to be honest
Posted by: hoppity, hamworthy on 11:42pm Thu 3 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Chris McColl[/bold] wrote:
" [italic]thats why we should legalise prostitution in this country[/italic] " durrrr it is, and always has been. Probably far less regulated than most other 'professions'. No license, certificate of competence or any qualification of any kind required at all.[/quote] have i missed something here I was not aware it was a legal profession I thought you broke the law when charging for sex i must be thicker than I realised durrr.
Chris McColl wrote:
" thats why we should legalise prostitution in this country " durrrr it is, and always has been. Probably far less regulated than most other 'professions'. No license, certificate of competence or any qualification of any kind required at all.
have i missed something here I was not aware it was a legal profession I thought you broke the law when charging for sex i must be thicker than I realised durrr.
Posted by: skysurfer, Bournemouth on 7:35am Fri 4 Jul 08
Prostitution is legal - living off the earnings of a prostitute (pimping) is illegal.
That's why brothels and these trafficking places are closed down.
The Echo is not acting illegally in carrying sex adverts but some of the advertisers living off the earnings of sex workers who advertise, will be acting unlawfully.
So you can't really blame the Echo - it's rather like a legal car advert where the trader turns out to be a crook.
Same goes for sex adverts - many will be single women and men legally advertising their services - some desperately because that's their only source of income.
Others will use the adverts for illegal purposes such as trafficking and brothels.
And as someone says - without the ads the police wouldn't know who to investigate.
Get real people - I have never been to a prostitute but it is the oldest profession.
So I agree it should be legalised and then the illegal operations could be more easily identified and stamped out.[/bold]
Prostitution is legal - living off the earnings of a prostitute (pimping) is illegal.
That's why brothels and these trafficking places are closed down.
The Echo is not acting illegally in carrying sex adverts but some of the advertisers living off the earnings of sex workers who advertise, will be acting unlawfully.
So you can't really blame the Echo - it's rather like a legal car advert where the trader turns out to be a crook.
Same goes for sex adverts - many will be single women and men legally advertising their services - some desperately because that's their only source of income.
Others will use the adverts for illegal purposes such as trafficking and brothels.
And as someone says - without the ads the police wouldn't know who to investigate.
Get real people - I have never been to a prostitute but it is the oldest profession.
So I agree it should be legalised and then the illegal operations could be more easily identified and stamped out.
Posted by: gunters goonies, christchurch on 9:05am Fri 4 Jul 08
pokesdown Mark,
Well as a teenager many years ago, driving back from bournemouth, we used to do the prozzzie run througth boscombe,
we have all done it...and there you see some funny sights. Also do you not watch the news on tv. Or even the police camera shows.
pokesdown Mark,
Well as a teenager many years ago, driving back from bournemouth, we used to do the prozzzie run througth boscombe,
we have all done it...and there you see some funny sights. Also do you not watch the news on tv. Or even the police camera shows.
Posted by: fiona, Bournemouth on 9:22am Fri 4 Jul 08
The law is complicated. The act of one consenting adult paying another for sex is NOT actually illegal. So, a woman who works on her own, in her own house and charges people for sex is NOT breaking the law.
But the laws that exist around it make it almost impossible to carry out prostitution legally.
To put it as simply as possible...
Brothels are illegal - that's a room where more than one woman works - even if they work on different days or at different times. A massage parlour is normally a classier name for a brothel.
It's also illegal to live off immoral earnings - that could include pimps, massage parlour managers, and receptionists.
It's illegal to advertise for sexual services - though not to advertise massage or escort services like those in the papers and on the internet. It's also quite likely that people renting a house and using it as a brothel are committing planning and tenancy offences. At a street level it's illegal to solicit for trade, and curb-crawling is illegal.
The law is complicated. The act of one consenting adult paying another for sex is NOT actually illegal. So, a woman who works on her own, in her own house and charges people for sex is NOT breaking the law.
But the laws that exist around it make it almost impossible to carry out prostitution legally.
To put it as simply as possible...
Brothels are illegal - that's a room where more than one woman works - even if they work on different days or at different times. A massage parlour is normally a classier name for a brothel.
It's also illegal to live off immoral earnings - that could include pimps, massage parlour managers, and receptionists.
It's illegal to advertise for sexual services - though not to advertise massage or escort services like those in the papers and on the internet. It's also quite likely that people renting a house and using it as a brothel are committing planning and tenancy offences. At a street level it's illegal to solicit for trade, and curb-crawling is illegal.
Posted by: fiona, Bournemouth on 9:30am Fri 4 Jul 08
The echo therefore isnt actually breaking the law by allowing
prostitutes to advertise in its classified section
But some people could argue it's breaking moral and ethical laws
The echo therefore isnt actually breaking the law by allowing
prostitutes to advertise in its classified section
But some people could argue it's breaking moral and ethical laws
Posted by: laurie marsh, australia on 2:39pm Fri 4 Jul 08
The police are asking men who use brothels to report on any of their "conquests" who look frightend or subdued!
They have to be kidding!
Not too many of these people belong to the Salvation Army, (at least I wouldnt think so!).
I very much doubt if many of them would, (a) report to the police that they had frequented such a place and (b) that they had been a part of a culture that had made use of a "sex slave"!
That (I would think) would make them criminally liable!
The police are asking men who use brothels to report on any of their "conquests" who look frightend or subdued!
They have to be kidding!
Not too many of these people belong to the Salvation Army, (at least I wouldnt think so!).
I very much doubt if many of them would, (a) report to the police that they had frequented such a place and (b) that they had been a part of a culture that had made use of a "sex slave"!
That (I would think) would make them criminally liable!
Posted by: PETE WOODLEY on 6:10pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Well done the police.
Posted by: dancingdog777, Christchurch on 1:07pm Sun 6 Jul 08
So Skysurfer,"So you can't really blame the Echo". YES we can!
The Echo have knowingly carried adverts for prostitution for many years. THAT is living off immoral earnings!
So Skysurfer,"So you can't really blame the Echo". YES we can!
The Echo have knowingly carried adverts for prostitution for many years. THAT is living off immoral earnings!
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
