Britain to crack down on sex traffickers ahead of London 2012 Olympics

Associated Press

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 2:03 AM

LONDON - Britain will take "pre-emptive action" to stop sex traffickers from targeting the 2012 London Games.

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell told Parliament on Monday the government will work with London police and voluntary organizations.

"We are absolutely determined to take all pre-emptive action that we can ... to make sure the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics don't become a target for this vile trade and don't become tainted as a result," she said.

Some lawmakers suggested the influx of visitors for the Olympics would lead to an increase in sexual exploitation of women and men.

"We will be making sure that a very clear message goes out to the traffickers, that there is no point coming to London," Jowell said. "I want the House to be under absolutely no misapprehension about how seriously this threat is taken and its planning well advance of the games will make sure it does not materialize."

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