Three individuals involved in a human trafficking ring, which coerced women from Eastern Europe into sex work across the southwest of England, including Gloucestershire, have been sentenced to jail time.

The group's leader, 52-year-old Maciej Kozlowski, previously residing in Gloucester, was found guilty not only of human trafficking but also of raping one of the women later exploited by the group.

The investigation, conducted by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit in collaboration with Gloucestershire Constabulary and Wiltshire Police, revealed that Kozlowski orchestrated the trafficking operation using various aliases, with 57-year-old Piotr Lebek, formerly of Gloucester, serving as his primary accomplice. Lebek's tasks included transporting victims between brothels, collecting payments, and reporting back to Kozlowski on their earnings.

Agata Jankowska, 37, from Gloucester, handled victims' flight arrangements into the UK and controlled certain communication devices used to schedule their appointments. Lidia Grzybowska, 45, from Scotland, managed the other phones used for bookings, with both women impersonating the sex workers, depriving the victims of agency and control.

The trio—Kozlowski, Lebek, and Jankowska—pleaded guilty to trafficking at least 20 women over a two-year period, primarily from Poland, to work in brothels across various locations. Kozlowski received a 14-year prison sentence, Lebek seven years and six months, and Jankowska three years and four months. All three will be registered as Sexual Offenders for five years.

Further investigations led to the collection of substantial evidence, including records of the group's movements, thousands of messages coordinating appointments, photographs for online advertisements, financial transactions, and purchases of supplies like bedding and condoms.

Detective Superintendent Charlotte Tucker, leading the investigation, condemned the group's exploitation of vulnerable women, expressing hope that the sentences would provide closure to the victims and encourage others to report suspicions of similar crimes.

Detective Inspector Rory Ainslie from Gloucestershire Constabulary's Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit commended the victims for their courage in coming forward and supporting the prosecution. He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in combating such crimes and ensuring victims receive adequate support throughout the legal process.

Date of Event: Thursday, May 4th 2023

Time of Event: 9:30 AM — 1:15 PM

Place of Event: Webinar

There were believed to be 105,000 individuals in the UK who are involved in prostitution, up from 72,000 in 2016. The vast majority of these are women. The cost-of-living crisis is pushing yet more women into sex work and forcing them to take work from violent and exploitative clients. A 2015 National Ugly Mugs Our survey with Leeds University found 49% of sex workers were “worried” or “very worried” about their safety and 47% have been targeted by offenders. Meanwhile, 49% were either “unconfident” or “very unconfident” that police would take their reports seriously. It is estimated that 152 sex workers were murdered in the UK between 1990 and 2015. The charity Beyond the Streets highlights that 76% of those involved in prostitution experience some form of post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of this work.

Currently, sex work is legal in England, Wales and Scotland, but many of the surrounding aspects remain illegal, such as solicitation or running a brothel. The UK government have stated though that whilst they do not intend to change the law around sex work, they are committed to tackling the harm and exploitation associated with sex work. The Scottish government has also been criticised for focussing their support in this area towards charities that are not backed by sex workers, and that are focussed on getting people out of the industry rather than supporting those in it.

The Home Affairs Committee’s 2016 report, Prostitution, recommended a shift to complete decriminalisation. Dan Vajzovic, the National Police Chief Council’s lead for prostitution, who is working alongside government officials to reassess brothel keeping legislation, has called on the government to review prostitution laws to ensure sex workers can work together on the same premises to remain safe. This would “better enable the police to focus our resources on protecting sex workers and tackling those who are controlling or exploiting,” Vajzovic argues. According to National Ugly Mugs, sex workers are ten times safer working indoors than on the streets.

Christine Jardine MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for women and equalities, who supports the decriminalisation of brothel keeping, has called for a proper government strategy to accompany it. Also supporting decriminalisation of brothels, Labour MP, Nadia Whittome, has highlighted that “Other laws aimed at sex work – such as soliciting – should also be repealed, to improve sex workers’ rights, safety and ability to leave the sex industry if they choose. Alongside decriminalisation, the government must urgently tackle the growing levels of poverty that are pushing more women into sex work to make ends meet.”

This timely symposium will provide sex workers, safeguarding boards, police forces, local authorities, and social care providers with an opportunity to identify and debate priorities for reform and develop strategies for protecting and expanding the rights of sex workers.

A guide has been published with information on the law relating to sex workers, and where to get help. The guide has information on working safley.

A man has been arrested following an investigation into Modern Day Slavery offences. Officers executed a warrant at an address in the St Paul's area of Cheltenham yesterday afternoon (Thursday) after information had been gathered about an illegal brothel operating in the area.

A woman who was found within the property has been safeguarded by officers following concerns that she was being exploited.

Residents living next to a city car park say a broken light has made the site a magnet for antisocial behaviour.

The dark shadows at the edges of Widden Street Car Park, just off Barton Street in Gloucester have become a regular haunt for sex workers and drug dealers according to those living near by.

Six people were arrested after a raid on brothels in Westminster. Seven addresses were raided, in Westminster and Gloucestershire. This was part of operation Huai, looking into organised crime in Westminster. Those arrested encoded men and women on suspicion of slavery, 'proceeds of crime' offences and money laundering.