EFFECTIVE COLLABORATIONand the role of NGOs, including Crime

Stoppers

34th Annual Crime Stoppers International Conference

Simon ExcellUK Immigration Adviser, Turks & Caicos Islands

Turks & Caicos Islands

British Overseas Territory Northern rim of Caribbean 620 miles south of Miami; 90 miles

north of Haiti Official Population c.32,000 c.7,000 “Belongers” Significant Haitian, DR & Jamaican

migrant populations Estimated > 10,000 illegal population

The ThreatsSloop ArrivalsClandestine ‘fast boats’ landings People (Mixed Migration Flows)Economic MigrantsHumanitarian ProtectionTrafficked VictimsCriminals CommoditiesDrugsWeapons TCI CommunitiesHarmSocial CohesionHealthSupport Costs

The Response: Local Partnerships

TCI IRREGULAR MIGRANT CONTINGENCY PLAN

  TCI Radar Station Marine Police Unit Customs Immigration Ministry of Health Social Welfare

Department Haitian Consul NGOs: Red Cross,

Human Rights Commissioner

The Response: Regional Partnerships

US Coast Guard: Operation Bahamas, Turks & Caicos (OpBAT) 

UNHCR  

Intelligence UK Risk & Liaison Overseas

Network (RALON) Bahamas Ministry of

Foreign Affairs & Immigration

Haitian Government Homeland Security/FBI Serious Organised Crime

Agency (SOCA)

International Trafficking Abuse

UK identified alleged trafficking abuse from 80 different countries

  47 relating to children 

Significant OCGs profits from people trafficking

 

Same routes commonly used for commodity smuggling

  People Trafficking for range of illicit

purposes Sexual Exploitation Forced Labour Domestic Servitude Benefit Fraud Cannabis Farming Street Begging/Crime Organs/Body Parts

BODY PARTS: ‘TORSO IN THE THAMES’

Torso of small boy discovered floating in River Thames in 2001

Arms, legs & head expertly cut off Evidence of drugged potion inducing paralysis Forensic tests on stomach contents & bone tissue revealed

Nigerian origins Clothing unique outlets in Hamburg Believed trafficked to UK from Nigeria through Germany Subjected to ritual sacrifice Sub-Sahara Africa beliefs – child body parts sacred International collaboration

“Adam” Torso Illustration

OPERATION GOLD

Trafficked Romanian children into UK

  Controlled Street Gangs, pick-

pockets, thefts, ATM skimming

  Collaboration between UK

Immigration, Metropolitan & Romanian Police

  181 identified trafficked Roma

children

  Cross-border investigations

  26 convictions for Trafficking

THE COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE 

Victim identification, protection & care Awareness raising of government & non-government organisations Reflection periods Secure victim protection

Upstream disruption Intelligence and awareness sharing Targeting of traffickers in host countryCommunicating risks to potential victims

Intelligence Picture De-briefing of victims & traffickers Trend analysis of routes, persons, methods Sharing/analysis of data, information and intelligence

Effective Operations Targeted strikes Disruption & Prosecution High volume Media Messaging

The Collaborative Response: CSI & other NGOs

Non-authority Trusted, anonymised information gatherer Strong links with Government Enforcement Agencies Pro-active international messaging capability Recognising behavioural indicators;

Welfare groups Charitable Institutions Airline & Ship personnel

  

“Human trafficking is a truly international crime, it destroys lives and damages communities. Victims of trafficking have been deceived and exploited, they will undoubtedly be frightened and vulnerable. The transport and exploitation of vulnerable men, women and children by predatory organised criminal groups is something that no civilised country should tolerate. We need to do more to stop this horrific crime”. Theresa May, UK Home Secretary. 2013.