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Operation Northern Spotlight

Thursday, 22 October 2015 15:27

Stratford Police were involved in a international operation that rescued 20 people from the human trafficking sex trade.

STRATFORD - Stratford Police have wrapped up the Operation Northern Spotlight investigation in human trafficking.

They were one of 40 police agencies from Canada and the United States to join forces on this task force. During the crackdown police charged 47 people with 135 offences and they were able to ensure the safety of 20 people who have been working in the sex trade as a minor. Most of the girls rescued were under the age of 19 with some as young as 14. Acting Chief Michael Bellai says unfortunately they had to deal with a case of human trafficking in the City.

"And recently we did have a case where a young person here was lured into that human trafficking field, so it is something that we know exists and something we thought taking a proactive approach would be pertinent to the safety of the people in Stratford. It is a crime that involves victims so it is something that we need to be involved in because their is no borders when it comes to this type of crime, so it's important for us to serve the community as best we can and that's what were doing being involved in operation northern spotlight."

One of the arrests from the task force was made by Stratford Police who picked up a man from out of town on obstructing justice and he also had a number of outstanding arrest warrants.

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