The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Direction de la Cooperation Internationale (DCI) of the French Embassy in Singapore have co-organised a workshop which addressed the issues related to human trafficking.

This inaugural three-day workshop was held at the Police Cantonment Complex, and ended on Thursday.

It brought together more than 50 officers from overseas and local agencies, who were equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute those involved in human trafficking and child exploitation cases. Participants were also taught how to care for victims of such transnational crimes.

The participants were from various divisions in SPF, and member agencies of Singapore's Trafficking in Persons Inter-Agency Taskforce. There were also representatives from Asean law enforcement agencies. They were trained by personnel from the Central Unit for Minors Protection of the French Judicial Police, the Minors Protection Unit of Paris and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) of Singapore.

Beyond learning about best practices and techniques, this workshop also served as a platform to build networks with experts in this field from around the world.

Said Mr Benjamin Dubertret, the French ambassador to Singapore: "The fight against this type of crime that knows no borders will be successful through enhanced law enforcement cooperation at regional and international levels."

Mr Hoong Wee Teck, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations and Intelligence) and Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, added: "Cooperation and collaboration between the law enforcement agencies from origin and destination countries are key tools in fighting the scourge of human trafficking."