Human traffickers arrested in dawn raids

TWELVE suspected human traffickers have been arrested in the UK amid claims they preyed on children as young as eleven for the sex trade in Britain.

Police probing claims 24 vulnerable girls under 16 were groomed for rape and prostitution are questioning the suspects after dawn raids in Oxford.

Amid fears more girls may have been involved, patrols of officers took to the streets of the university city to hand out public awareness leaflets.

Police believe gang members targeted British children in care or living rough and transported them around Britain over a six-year period.

The men - aged between 21 and 37 - are being quizzed over a string of offences including causing the prostitution of females under the age of 18, administrating drugs for the purpose of rape, trafficking, grooming and rape.

Thames Valley Police became aware of the allegations after a number of girls were reported missing from their homes.

Detective Superintendent Rob Mason, of Thames Valley Police, said: “We believe we have uncovered an organised crime group who have been running a business of selling young girls for sex.

“We have also identified a number of customers who we have reason to believe have used this service.”

More than 100 officers took part in raids as the force executed 14 warrants across the city as part of an operation named Bullfinch.