Detective Chief Superintendent of Intelligence for New Scotland Yard, Lucinda Stubbs Woollcombe, meeting with ASAC Bill Priestap and SIA Albert Banke (far right). Photo credit: FBI

FBI Special Agents have welcomed their counterparts from Manchester, England and New Scotland Yard in London to New York for briefings and discussions concerning counter-terrorism activity.

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Fowler of New York’s Counterterrorism Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge (A/SAC) Lauren Anderson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Bill Priestap, Supervisory Intelligence Analyst (SIA) Albert G. Banke (all from New York’s Intelligence Division), FBI Assistant Legal Attaché (ALAT) from London Dan Morrison and other members of the FBI’s New York Office welcomed Detective Chief Superintendent of Intelligence for New Scotland Yard, Lucinda Stubbs Woollcombe, along with other detectives and members of New Scotland Yard and the Greater Manchester Police Department Counterterrorism Unit. The representatives of New Scotland Yard and the Greater Manchester Police Department Counterterrorism Unit visited the FBI New York Field Office for briefings and discussions coordinated by Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Michael A. D‘Alonzo. Topics of discussion included an overview of the FBI’s Intelligence Division as well as cooperation between the law enforcement agencies in both countries. ALAT Dan Morrison and Detective Superintendant Keith Surtees of New Scotland Yard provided a briefing to FBI Counterterrorism and Joint Terrorism Task Force agents.

Superintendant Keith Surtees reviewed the relationship between the different branches of United Kingdom law enforcement (Scotland Yard, MI-5 and MI-6) and the historic transition during the last 30 years. Superintendant Surtees noted the adjustments from the period of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) conflicts and the numerous car bombings in the 1970s and 80s. ALAT Morrison commented on the subway bombings in 2005 where he made the distinction that terrorists are “now indiscriminate, causing mass civilian casualties and seeking martyrdom.” This requires a change of focus for both the UK law enforcement and their global partners including the FBI. Morrison also discussed the CCTV camera system in Britain and its usefulness in preventing and solving terrorism and other crimes.

Detective Chief Superintendent Woollcombe welcomed the direct interaction with the FBI in New York, “Our relationship with the FBI is longstanding as we work together on countless cases all with the goal of keeping our countries safe. These visits only go to improve information and intelligence sharing on our joint efforts. I look forward to continued cooperation and coordination between our agencies in our common goal to protect our citizens.

SAC Fowler said, “Meeting with our partners from London improves cooperation between our organizations on a wide variety of issues. Many of our investigations focused on terrorism have an international nexus, and the best way to deter such activity is to work together with our partners from foreign nations to neutralize threats to our societies. We have a long established relationship with our partners at New Scotland Yard and the Greater Manchester Police Department and we will continue to work together to ensure the security of our countries and protection of our citizens.”

ALAT Dan Morrison and Detective Superintendant Keith Surtees Photo credit: Rebecca Callahan, FBI

A/SAC Anderson added, “I thought it was an excellent mutual exchange with Detective Chief Superintendent Woollcombe. I know she enjoyed meeting with us and took away some very useful information. We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with everyone at New Scotland Yard as we move forward.”

ALAT Dan Morrison, Detective Superintendant Keith Surtees and Counterterrorism Supervisory Special Agent Michael A. D’Alonzo Photo credit: Rebecca Callahan, FBI

ALAT Morrison stated, “We have an excellent relationship with our law enforcement and intelligence agency partners in the United Kingdom and welcomed this opportunity to combine our teams in discussion of issues that affect both our countries and our citizens collectively. We look forward to strengthening and maintaining a collaborative relationship with our fellow law enforcement partners so that we may continue to fulfill our mutual objectives in safeguarding the infrastructure of our nations and eradicating threats from individuals and or groups that wish to do us harm.”

SSA D‘Alonzo noted, “The globalization of jihad and terrorist groups has made it absolutely vital that we all keep our intelligence as up to the moment and accurate as possible. That would be impossible without the constant coordination and assistance of our allies. This relationship with UK intelligence services is vital.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC) Joseph Demarest added to the above statements by saying, “We partner every day on all types of national security and criminal matters. These visits will help to fortify our relationships with international intelligence and law entities who share our common goal of protecting both of our nation’s most valuable resources.”

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Emma Thompson, and supporters of the Helen Bamber Foundation today opened “Journey,” a unique and provocative art installation depicting the journey typical of some women in the sex industry who are victims of human trafficking.

Journey is comprised of seven shipping containers each telling the powerful and personal story of a woman who was trafficked into sexual slavery. Each container depicts a different stage of the brutal reality experienced by trafficked women. “Journey” is located on Washington Place, near Washington Square Park in Manhattan. The exhibit will be open from Tuesday, November 10th until Sunday, November 15.

In 2006, Mayor Bloomberg convened the New York City-Anti Human Trafficking Task Force, which coordinates the work of the police officers, prosecutors and service providers who combat the human trafficking that is depicted in the exhibit.

“Journey brings human trafficking out of the shadows and I hope its arrival in New York will raise awareness among New Yorkers of this heinous form of exploitation and help combat it,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Our Administration has used coordinated enforcement, tough new laws, and partnerships with service providers to fight human trafficking. Our efforts are overseen by a task force of police officers, prosecutors, service providers, advocacy groups and academics, but public awareness is crucial to their success. That is why all of us welcome Journey and the unique attention it will bring this inhumane and criminal activity.”

“People just don’t want to know about this issue – it’s hidden, it’s criminal, it’s perverse and yes, it’s happening right on your own doorstep.”

“People just don’t want to know about this issue – it’s hidden, it’s criminal, it’s perverse and yes, it’s happening right on your own doorstep,” said Emma Thompson. “Journey is a remarkable piece of collaborative, creative and confrontational art that profoundly challenges people’s perspective. Come and see it for yourself and then tell us if you agree.”

British actress Emma Thompson launched the exhibition with Mayor Bloomberg

“Asking questions and broadening understanding is at the heart of a university’s mission; that is why art – with its tendency to challenge assumptions and provoke thought – finds such a welcome home in a University environment,” said NYU President John Sexton. “Great cities need great universities to offer welcoming homes for important ideas. We’re very pleased that the first U.S. stop on this exhibition’s international tour will be readily available to the NYU community and our Greenwich Village neighbors.”

Mayor Bloomberg established the Anti Human Trafficking Task Force in 2006 to combat the growing problem of foreign and domestic human trafficking and to coordinate the efforts of the different entities that combat human trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. The efforts are overseen by the Mayor’s Criminal Justice Coordinator, John Feinblatt.

In cooperation with the task force, the Mayor’s Office has: partnered with enforcement entities to provide services to trafficking victims, including employees of massage parlors; conducted multiple citywide multidisciplinary training sessions; helped pass the groundbreaking New York State Anti-Trafficking law passed in 2007; created a resource directory which is available at 311 on line so service providers, counselors, law enforcement officers, prosecutors and victims all know the services that are available and how they can be accessed; awarded a contract to a service provider to house and counsel trafficking victims; and worked with the Administration for Children’s Services and the Office of Children and Family Services to establish placement facilities for children who are sexually exploited.

Special training sessions to recognize signs of trafficking and provide appropriate services have also been held for staff at the City’s Family Justice Centers. Family Justice Centers are run by the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence and borough district attorneys, and allow domestic violence victims to meet with a prosecutor, speak with a trained counselor, and apply for housing and financial assistance in one location and in one visit.

The Mayor’s Office, working under the direction of Deputy Mayor Carol Robles-Roman, is also coordinating a city-wide anti-human trafficking advertising campaign designed to raise awareness about human trafficking. The campaign was launched at the opening of the “Journey” exhibit. The advertisements were designed by students and mentors in the Graphic Communications Management and Technology program at NYU’s School of Continuing Professional studies.

The seven containers, each depicting a different stage of human trafficking, are entitled: Hope, Journey, Uniform, Bedroom, Customer, Stigma and Resurrection.

This piece has galvanized the artistic skills of a highly experienced and talented team assembled from a range of disciplines including: Turner Prize-winning artist, Anish Kapoor; internationally acclaimed artist, Antony Micallef; Oscar-winning costume designer, Sandy Powell; one of Britain’s leading artists, MODE2; BAFTA-nominated Art Director, Michael Howells; playwright, Simon Stephens; photographer, James Ostrer; Royal graphic designer, Mike Dempsey; V&A award-winning illustrator, Laura Carlin; trafficked woman, Elena Varga and Lifetime Achievement Award-winner in Human Rights, Helen Bamber OBE.

The hours of operation are: Tuesday, November 10th – Friday, November 13th from Noon through 8:00 PM; Saturday, November 14th from 11:00 AM through 7:00 PM; and Sunday, November 15th from 10:00 AM through 3:00 PM.

Journey is produced in partnership with the City of New York and the City of London.