Police seek witnesses who helped 'trafficked' girl

The girl was described as "in distress" sitting on the corner of a street in Liverpool

An urgent request has been issued seeking witnesses who found a young girl - believed to have been trafficked into the UK - on a street in the north west of England.

Merseyside Police is hoping to contact witnesses who may have helped the 16-year-old, who was discovered "in distress" in the Vauxhall area of Liverpool.

The force said it received a report of the girl sitting at the junction of Chisenhale Street and Vauxhall Road at 10:00 BST on 20 May.

Detectives said early findings suggested the girl, who was described as Vietnamese, had been a victim of human trafficking.

'Extensive enquiries'

Det Insp Michell Wilson, from Merseyside's child criminal and sexual exploitation team, said the force was carrying out "extensive enquiries" to find those responsible.

She said: “As part of this investigation, we urgently need to speak to those other people who saw her or may have also offered their assistance."

The girl was described as having long, dark hair worn in a ponytail, and was wearing a black coat, jeans and trainers.

Det Insp Wilson urged anyone who lived near the junction to check home CCTV, dashcam and doorbell devices for that morning as any evidence of her movements could be "vital".

In 2022 there was a total of 768 Vietnamese people referred to the National Referral Mechanism - a system for identifying potential victims of human trafficking - according to a recent Home Office report.

Anyone with concerns about human trafficking or modern slavery can call the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline confidentially on 08000 121 700.