Every trainee police officer in Romania to receive special training thanks to DCI Dave Andrews

Thanks to our trafficking and exploitation lead, DCI Dave Andrews, every trainee police officer in Romania will soon receive training in the sexual exploitation and trafficking of vulnerable people.

The Romanian police force and border authorities approached Dave (pictured) to help them become more victim focused when tackling the exploitation and trafficking of vulnerable people, many of whom may end up trafficked into the sex trade across Europe.

“They understood that by being more aware of the signs of exploitation and becoming better at talking to potential victims they could better tackle the problem,” DCI Andrews said.

DCI Andrews is something of an expert on modern slavery and human trafficking. His CV is impressive, having given evidence to House of Lords and House of Commons committees reviewing the Modern Slavery Act, delivering training inputs to officers from Denmark and Germany and helping negotiate a bilateral agreement between the UK and Romanian governments to tackle the exploitation of vulnerable people.  

Dave didn’t take the traditional route into policing. He used to be an accountant but found this was “not very exciting.” He continued: “I became a special constable and realised it was much more interesting and gave me the chance to help protect people.”

In 2006 he became a regular officer and as well as helping to protect people in Warwickshire his work is helping to protect vulnerable people being sexually exploited and trafficked across Europe.

Dave explains: “After presenting at a conference on human trafficking in Romania, Dave was invited to deliver a training course to 25 border officials based at Bucharest Airport.

“This approach allowed them to act to try to prevent potential victims of exploitation leaving the country or if they couldn’t, alerting authorities at the destination country to their concerns.

“This led to a fourfold increase in referrals raising concerns around people being trafficked into the UK, allowing officials in this country to put measures in place to help them.”

Dave then delivered a training session to police officers from around Romania which will soon be delivered to all trainee officers.

“It’s great to have been a part of something that has made such a difference to the lives of people who are being exploited across the continent.

“Sadly though, the trafficking and sexual exploitation of people continues, and we know that many people trafficked out of Romania can end up as victims of sexual exploitation he in the UK.

“It’s happening in this country; it’s happening in Warwickshire. Some of these women will be from overseas, others will be British. We all need to be on the lookout for the signs and report concerns.”

Here are some of the signs that someone might be experiencing adult sexual exploitation:

• Appearing guarded, accompanied, or have their movements restricted.
• Showing signs of physical abuse, such as cigarette burns, bruises or untreated medical conditions.
• Not being allowed to keep or having limited access to money.
• Showing evidence of being forced, intimidated or coerced into providing sexual services.
• Offering unsafe sexual services.
• Unwillingness to seek medical
• Showing signs of change in behaviour and emotions.
• Going missing frequently.
• Receiving gifts or favours.
• Social isolation – breakdown of relationships with family and friends.
• In foreign nationals, having a limited knowledge of English.
• Living and sleeping in the same premises in which they work.