Further anti-people trafficking powers now in force

New powers to tackle people trafficking suspects have come into force today (31 October).

Police can now apply to courts for a trafficking and exploitation risk order (TERO) when they believe there is a risk that someone may commit a trafficking or exploitation offence. This means the suspect is effectively banned from a range of activity, with potential restrictions on movement within the UK or on internet use, for a two year period.

The risk order completes implementation of part 4 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015, and sits alongside the trafficking and exploitation prevention order (TEPO), which came into force on 30 June. Both allow police, prosecutors and courts to protect the public from and deter trafficking and exploitation.

A TEPO (which lasts for five years) can be made at the point of sentencing or by a court application by police; a TERO can be made on the basis of strong suspicion by police that a person may commit such an offence. Once granted by the court, restrictions placed through a TERO would protect others from psychological and physical harm.

Breach of either order is a criminal offence.

Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC said the orders "provide Scotland with an additional tool to tackle the global trade in human beings and prevent both physical and psychological harm".

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson commented: “I launched Scotland’s first strategy on human trafficking this year, which aims to identify and support victims, make Scotland a hostile environment for exploitation, and disrupt traffickers’ activity. The risk order should help us do that at the earliest possible opportunity.

“If you suspect trafficking activity in your community, I urge you to report it – you could just save someone from a life of miserable servitude.”

The modern slavery helpline is 08000 121 700.