Britain sets up funds to tackle modern slavery

LONDON: Britain unveiled two multi-million pound funds on Thursday to tackle modern slavery overseas and at home as part of a drive to end the crime described as a "barbaric evil" by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Britain´s home secretary (interior minister), Amber Rudd, was due to make the 14 million pound commitment at a conference in the Vatican involving law enforcement chiefs, Catholic Church representatives and activists.

An 11 million pound fund, open to bidders immediately, aims to support new projects in countries from which victims are known to be trafficked to Britain.

Rudd said a further 3 million pounds would be available to bidders for projects to help protect vulnerable children both overseas and in Britain who are at risk of being trafficking.

"Modern slavery is a global crime which demands an international response," Rudd said in a statement.