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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/09/police-raids-northern-england-crackdown-sex-trafficking
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| Police raids in northern England in crackdown on sex trafficking | Police raids in northern England in crackdown on sex trafficking |
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| Police have raided properties in northern England in a crackdown on people trafficking and serious sexual offences. | Police have raided properties in northern England in a crackdown on people trafficking and serious sexual offences. |
| More than 100 officers were involved in the simultaneous searches in Middlesbrough, Stockton and Sheffield. Six people were arrested at properties across Stockton, Cleveland police said. | More than 100 officers were involved in the simultaneous searches in Middlesbrough, Stockton and Sheffield. Six people were arrested at properties across Stockton, Cleveland police said. |
| The raids were carried out after a woman told police she had been subjected to sexual offences including rape. | The raids were carried out after a woman told police she had been subjected to sexual offences including rape. |
| The investigation is based on intelligence that an unknown number of young women have been trafficked within Cleveland for the purposes of sex over a number of months, a spokeswoman for the force said. | The investigation is based on intelligence that an unknown number of young women have been trafficked within Cleveland for the purposes of sex over a number of months, a spokeswoman for the force said. |
| Police believe victims were raped by multiple men after being driven to residential addresses and were sometimes taken to other parts of the country to be further exploited. | Police believe victims were raped by multiple men after being driven to residential addresses and were sometimes taken to other parts of the country to be further exploited. |
| Assistant chief constable Jason Harwin said: “Human trafficking, the exploitation of the most vulnerable in our communities by the most ruthless, will not be accepted. | |
| “Our message is clear, to those who are victims in the case: there is hope. We are on your side; we can and will help you. We are here for you and we are stronger and more determined than your abusers.” | “Our message is clear, to those who are victims in the case: there is hope. We are on your side; we can and will help you. We are here for you and we are stronger and more determined than your abusers.” |
| Police were unable to say how many victims were involved or if any of them were underage. | Police were unable to say how many victims were involved or if any of them were underage. |