The misery of human trafficking

People trafficking is forcing some women into prostitution

Breakfast has learned that Britain is being targeted by gangs from Albania specialising in trafficking people - some of whom are kidnapped and forced into prostitution.

In an exclusive interview with the BBC, a senior Metropolitan Police Officer warned of an emerging and growing threat - with the danger it could spill over into gang warfare.

The incentive for the gangsters, is an easy way to make money in a multi-million pound trade and a top government official in Albania has warned of Britain is being singled out.

Click on the link below to see Barnie Choudhury's report which is followed by an interview with the criminologist Roger Graef who says there has been a big rise in Albanian criminal activity in the UK

And you can also see our interview with Asylum Aid's Diana Mills by clicking on the link at the top right of this page.

Barnie takes up the story:

Tirana, Albania's capital. Communism fell here 14 years ago.

It's been replaced by poverty and organised criminal gangs. Children as young as ten, who should be at school, are begging for handouts.

This is the incentive for the gangsters... an easy way to make money in a multi-million pound trade.

I met Martha - she hides a terrible secret. Four years ago she was kidnapped on the way to work. She was raped, trafficked to Italy and forced to be a prostitute:

"They wanted the person to be obedient. At first I wanted to die. Then I wanted to escape. I'll never be able to tell my family what really happened. I'll always carry the shame," she says.

The police patrol the coast of Vlora, in the south. It's Albania's Cornwall with all year round sunshine. But don't be fooled by this.

The police have taken action but by closing down the sea routes the problem's moved to other parts of Europe.

And the gangsters, a small but significant number, are now specifically targeting Britain:

I spoke to Colonel Avni Jashallari, Head of Albanian Anti-Trafficking Unit:

"They find it easy to operate in Britain and that's why they want to operate there.

"It may be easier because there may be a lack of communication and collaboration between the police in Britain and other European countries."

The Met and the government ARE serious about tackling the problem. There was a raid earlier this week on the home of a suspected trafficker from Albania.

It's part of Operation Maxim the Met's campaign to stop organised kidnapping and sex trafficking.

The police say the gangs are becoming cleverer. They're using fake identities to come to Britain. They're ruthless in their pursuit of making money:

"I think if we don't deal the problem head on and be on the front foot then there is a real danger that these gangs will resort to some very serious inter-ethnic violence."

Says Met police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur. "But not only that we'll get parts of London which will be taken over for serious organised criminality by these people."

Back in Albania the police have clamped down. Their cells are over run with traffickers awaiting trial. But poverty is the biggest enemy.

Traffickers will always find a way to profit from human suffering. It's now Britain that'll have to take on the criminals before the problem gets out of control.