The pernicious scourge of human trafficking is a growing problem across the globe, and one that has raised its ugly head in Bradford in recent years.

Any efforts to tackle the problem are welcome, and news that Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire is making it a priority should hopefully lead to greater efforts to deal with those responsible – and free those who fall victim to this evil trade.

The sad fact is that the scale of this industry is unknown, but the cases we have seen prosecuted are likely to be only the tip of the iceberg. Globally, it is estimated that an incredible 21 million people fall victim to trafficking – and the industry is worth £20 billion to the vicious criminals behind it.

It is almost impossible for most of us to imagine the life of those who are forced into labour by modern day slave gangs, and it is equally incomprehensible that slavery exists on such a scale in the modern world.

But exist it does, with victims of people trafficking forced to work as cheap labour and sometimes sexually exploited, often afraid to go to the authorities through fear or ignorance.

The commissioner plans to try and get an idea of the scale of the problem, and to look at a joined-up multi-agency approach to tackling it.

This trade should not exist in a civilised society, and its victims are suffering cruelty and indignity that has no place in the 21st Century.

Draft anti-slavery legislation bringing in tougher sentences has to be brought in as soon as possible, and anyone who suspects they might have witnessed trafficking operations in any form must notify the authorities.

There should be no place for this horrendous exploitation of people in a civilised society.