Liz Truss MP

A Norfolk MP is to write to the prime minister as part of a bid to heighten awareness about the issue of human trafficking in the county - a move police chiefs said would help encourage more people to come forward with information.

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Liz Truss, South West Norfolk MP and secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Human Trafficking, attended an anti-slavery reception at 10 Downing Street hosted by David Cameron last night.

Ms Truss has now vowed to write to Mr Cameron about some of the trafficking concerns affecting Norfolk in light of the discovery of a human trafficking ring in Bradwell, near Great Yarmouth last year which prompted a major police investigation.

The investigation, codenamed Operation Feed, was one of the biggest human trafficking operations the force had embarked upon and culminated in raids on eight homes across Yarmouth.

Ms Truss said she would be writing to Mr Cameron about trafficking in Norfolk to help raise its profile - which might prompt other victims to speak out.

She said: “I am concerned that human trafficking is taking place across the UK including Norfolk. Norfolk Constabulary has been working with the Lithuanian police on this matter and I want to see a strong national police response linking information across the country.

“It is appalling that slavery is taking place under our noses and I pleased that the government has made it clear that traffickers will be pursued and brought to justice.”

She added: “Ttrafficking hasn’t got the profile that drugs trafficking has had but in business terms its a similar-sized industry. This is a very important issue.”

The government has signed up to international conventions against trafficking, and published its own national strategy in July. This will build on previous work helping victims by improving Britain’s capacity to stop trafficking in the first place.

The Operation Feed investigation led to Nerijus Lekecinskas and Skirmantas Kvedaras being put on trial at Norwich Crown Court charged with trafficking offences.

Lekecinskas, 34, of Bradwell, was jailed for 11 years after being found guilty of controlling a person in prostitution for gain, trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation and rape.

Kvedaras, 47, formerly of Issacs Road, Great Yarmouth, was jailed for six years after being found guilty of rape.

It was described by Judge Alasdair Darroch as a “commercial enterprise of the most evil nature” involving a young Lithuanian woman who was trafficked to the UK and forced into a life of prostitution.

Detective Chief Inspector Rickie Botwright, who led the Operation Feed investigation and visited Lithuania a number of times, said he hoped Ms Truss’s meeting with the prime minister would help victims of trafficking in Norfolk.

Chf Insp Botwright said: “I was really quite pleased the matter is going to be raised with the prime minister. I think it’s not an epidemic, but when you identify something you previously didn’t know existed it’s really important to take some action quickly.

“Whether its one victim or 100 victims I’m really pleased we acted when we did to put an end to Nerijus and his activities but what we don’t know is how far that network extends.”

“With it being raised with the prime minister it will draw people’s attention and focus to what’s going on in the house next door.”