POLICE in Worcestershire are supporting an international campaign against modern day slavery, human trafficking and exploitation for sexual purposes.

West Mercia Police will be raising awareness about how these issues can affect communities in Worcestershire and across the force area, supporting the campaign led by the National Crime Agency.

The operation will coordinate the local to international effort targeting those criminals who use the internet to engage in trafficking human beings into sexual exploitation.

Detective Inspector Steven Fitzpatrick said: "This week we will be out talking to people in our communities to help raise awareness of what slavery, trafficking and exploitation is and what we can do to tackle it.

"While we support this operation locally, this is an issue that impacts the whole country and internationally. This is why we work closely with UK partners and international partners such as National Crime Agency and Europol, to help gather a picture of human slavery and trafficking and how this could affect people living and working in West Mercia policing areas."

If slavery or trafficking is happening to you or someone you know, help is available.

Speak to police in confidence on telephone 101 (always call 999 in an emergency) or contact the Modern Slavery helpline on 08000 121 700