"The report noted that in the UK sex offences against children, including on-line child abuse, are among the main instances of organised crime. And it said that it is assumed most child sex offenders act alone, but that there are extensive, secretive, criminal networks to exchange images or get access to victims. Many children who wind up in the sex industry arrive in the UK as asylum seekers, it said. The report compared it with the situation in Ireland where 260 children who applied for asylum in the country have disappeared over the past 10 years. But officials said many of them went to Ireland to be re-united with families, or for education, but there was little suspicion the youngsters had been forced into the sex trade."

Women who have been trafficked into Ireland to work as lap-dancers or prostitutes are being urged to come forward to the authorities or telephone Crimestoppers on 1800 25 00 25.