THE scale of human trafficking in Swindon and Wiltshire will come under the microscope at a meeting next week.

Stop the Traffik has organised a meeting for Tuesday.

Those at the event will hear from Stop The Traffik's project manager and Emma Triplett who runs Fair Trade company Hatti Trading.

The event will also be addressed by a senior officer from Wiltshire Police who will reveal details of the force's involvement in Operation Pentamater - a national drive to halt human trafficking for the sex trade.

"People do say that this sort of thing doesn't happen here," said Sally Parker, regional representative for Stop The Traffik.

"But that just isn't the case, it is very much here in this country and in Wiltshire.

This event is about raising its profile because for much of the time we here in Wiltshire will bury our heads in the sand over issues like this."

Planning for the event began earlier this year after issues of modern day slavery were highlighted at the time of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade.

So far organisers have contacted politicians, teachers, faith and church leaders, Amnesty and victim support officers to drum up interest.

"People can change their eating habits so that the foods they eat are fairly traded which means those involved in its production are not exploited. At the event we will talk about other changes we can make," said Sally.

The meeting will be staged at the University of Bath's Oakfield Campus in Marlowe Avenue, Swindon from 7.30pm.

For more details contact Sally Parker on 01793 813847.