Wiltshire alert for ‘invisible’ children

10:16am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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The NSPCC is targeting hospitals and transport companies in Wiltshire in a bid to help children and young people brought into the UK illegally for exploitation.

Posters have been sent to accident and emergency departments, and bus and coach services in the city asking staff to keep a lookout for vulnerable children.

Anyone who suspects a child or young person has been trafficked is being urged to call a dedicated free helpline- 0800 107 7057 to report their concerns.

Manager of the NSPCC National Child Trafficking Advice and Information Line, Mandy John-Baptiste, said: "Many children are not told the truth about why they are being brought to this country.

"They may think they are coming for a better life but, in fact, end up being abused and exploited by being forced to sell sex, become domestic slaves or used in benefit fraud.

"Our aim is to work with other agencies to make sure they get a proper assessment and protection before they become invisible to the authorities. This can happen very quickly so we are appealing to anyone who might come across them at the various stages of their journeys - immigration officers, coach drivers, nurses- to be alert.

"These children are brought in with false identification documents, are usually separated from their families and rarely registered with GPs. This means they frequently turn-up in hospital accident and emergency departments.

"It's a problem that needs urgent action but we can only help them if people call us when they have suspicions about a child."

Posters bearing the message - Has a child you know been misled about why they came to this country? - have been sent to bus and coach stations and hospitals in Wiltshire.

Since the National Child Trafficking Advice and Information Line opened last September, it has helped around 60 children aged 18 months to 18 who have been trafficked from across the globe.