City police part of human trafficking program

The Peterborough Police Service was one of 45 Ontario police forces taking part in an investigation to help people involved in human trafficking in the province. As part of Operation Northern Spotlight, city police officers worked with counterparts in Cobourg and the City Of Kawartha Lakes, as well as the Peterborough County OPP, to make contact and speak with 15 local sex workers. It was part Operation Northern Spotlight’s plan to meet with sex workers and share information, resources and contacts for support agencies and offer police assistance.

The program resulted in police helping seven people to safety in Peel Region, Niagara, Ottawa and Waterloo. Three were in the Ottawa area.

Ontario Provincial Police said the Operation Northern Spotlight investigation led to 45 charges being laid against 15 people, including trafficking in persons and forcible confinement.