Mobile carriers expected to block prostitutes’ phone numbers in London

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Aiming to reduce the number of women trafficked into the UK ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympics Games, British authorities are asking mobile operators to block prostitutes’ phone numbers found on advertising cards left in London’s telephone boxes.

Carriers like O2, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, 3 and Virgin Mobile are expected to collaborate.

According to Times Online, a meeting at London City Hall has been scheduled for October, when CEOs of major telecom operators should discuss the matter with members from the Metropolitan Police Service, the Crown Prosecution Service, and representatives of various women’s organizations.

Criminal gangs reportedly make millions of pounds by promising well-paid jobs to young women, tricking them into coming to UK and eventually obligating them to work as prostitutes.

“The Mayor wants to see an agreement reached between mobile phone operators and the police that would see these numbers taken out of use as soon as they are identified, cutting off a key source of income for these gangs.” said Kit Malthouse, Deputy Mayor for Policing.

Via T3