Crimestoppers ‘Traffic Signs' film is about the disturbing world of sex trafficking. The aim is to raise awareness of the increase in this exploitative trade and encourage anonymous calls to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

An estimated 1,420 women were trafficked to the UK in 2000. The exact scale of the problem in the UK currently is unknown. Crimestoppers is a partner of the UK Human Trafficking Centre, established to tackle human trafficking, including those trafficked for sexual exploitation.

The film which was directed by David Baksh, aims to be non-judgmental and it is shot in a particularly voyeuristic format, in the style of an adult film. It has been distributed via a viral campaign, encouraging men looking at porn or escort websites to look at our film. They will expect to see more graphic images of women, then view the film and get the message that they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 to give information, which will be passed on to the police.

Watch the Traffic Signs film

Women who are victims of trafficking travel to this country, usually under false pretences and suffer horrific abuse. They are held against their will and often forced to see up to 40 clients a day. The only other people who may know what is happening to them are the men who use their services, who would obviously not want to contact the police. We're appealing to them to give us information if they are suspicious about women they have seen in these circumstances on 0800 555 111.

They will not have to give us their name, or any details about themselves. Calls are not traced and they will not have to give evidence in court - we guarantee they will remain anonymous.

David Baksh, who wrote and directed the film, felt compelled to tackle this difficult subject after hearing a news report about an illegal brothel that had been raided. The officer in charge detailed how many girls were kept imprisoned in terrible conditions and the abuse they were forced to endure. The police had no idea that the girls were being abused and although the brothel had numerous clients, none of them had contacted the police.

David Baksh said: “Seeing prostitutes is not something most men would want to shout about - or stand up in court and testify to. The girls' best hope of rescue and the police's best source of intelligence slinks off and hopes that someone else has the guts to give information. The more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. Men aren't all bad. All they needed was to be reminded to do the right thing and be given the means to do it. Crimestoppers was the obvious solution - anybody calling their 0800 555 111 number has their anonymity guaranteed.”

Visit Crimestoppers' 'free sex traffic' website.