The Commissioner and the Pope join forces in the fight against human trafficking

Scotland Yard's commitment to fight human trafficking has been taken to another level by the Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, at a key conference held at the Vatican.

The two-day event, entitled 'Combating Human Trafficking', had the Commissioner sign an important declaration to 'eradicate the scourge of this serious criminal activity, which abuses vulnerable people'.

Following an audience with Pope Francis, the Commissioner addressed delegates from law enforcement agencies around the world and church representatives.

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe made reference to some700 victims who were identified and helped since the Human Trafficking Unit was first established in 2010 resulting in over 300 suspects being investigated and charged. He also stated that the challenge posed by traffickers worldwide - an industry worth an estimated 32 billion US dollars - is 'immense'.

Whilst statistics can, for example, describe with some degree of accuracy how many burglaries or robberies have occurred in London in the last year, the level of offences relating to Human Trafficking cannot be easily quantified. Victims very often live at the margins of society, they are extremely vulnerable and subjected to incredible levels of exploitation - they are hard to find hence providing them with help and support becomes difficult.

This is also because, not only do victims of Human Trafficking fear the very people who exploit them, they hide from the authorities, the police, for fear of being deported.

It is hoped that the network of churches around the world can provide a safety heaven in which victims can feel safe, free from prosecution.