SHOPPERS are being urged to back a campaign to protect victims of child sex trafficking.

The Body Shop, in the Kingsgate Shopping Centre, has launched a petition calling on the Government to set up a system of guardianship to ensure every victim is looked after.

It claims the UK is failing to provide the necessary support and half of identified victims of trafficking go missing from care.

Giants players Leroy Cudjoe and Michael Lawrence were among more than 400 people who signed it on the first day.

Shop manager Sam Staunton said: “A lot of people are unaware of the scale of the problem – they think it’s a third world problem, but it has a massive impact in this country.

“We are trying to educate people about this issue.”

The petition can be signed at the shop, or online at www.thebodyshop.com/stop