A GROUND-BREAKING project aimed at helping victims of human trafficking holds its first meeting today.

Representatives from West Yorkshire Police, the Home Office, the Salvation Army, the NHS and local authorities safeguarding teams are discussing what more can be done to combat human trafficking across the region.

The West Yorkshire Anti-Human Trafficking Network (WYATN) was created by charity Hope for Justice, with West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson after he was awarded £200,000 from the Ministry of Justice.

The meeting was to discuss how to implement the network and for members to find out how to access free training offered by Hope for Justice.

Mr Burns-Williamson said: “This is the first step to ensure this horrific practice is detected and stamped out.

“I have set aside at least £1m for West Yorkshire police to establish a specialist resource focused on tackling trafficking gangs.

“The network will ensure we are tackling this significant threat together, ensuring perpetrators have no place to hide and victims know they have support.”

Allan Doherty, Hope for Justice director of operations, said: “Human trafficking is one of the hardest crimes to recognise and deal with.

“Victims themselves sometimes don’t realise they are being tricked and exploited and can be controlled by manipulative traffickers who see them as nothing more than modern day slaves.”