Responding to yesterday's conclusion of Operation Pentameter, a multi-agency taskforce launched earlier this year to combat human trafficking, Liberal Democrat Spokeswoman for Women and Equality, Lorely Burt MP said:
"It is extremely promising to see an operation which successfully cracks down on human trafficking and forced prostitution.
"However, the Government has still not signed The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. It must now do so immediately if it wants to prove it is serious about ending human trafficking."
The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings would ensure victims of trafficking have access to counselling and are able stay in the UK for a 'reflection period' of at least 30 days which would allow them to co-operate in the prosecution of the trafficker.