A total of 167 people - mostly women and girls - were uncovered in just six months and 528 suspected traffickers were arrested.

Victims rescued in the project, known as Operation Pentameter Two, are thought to include children, but full details have not yet been unveiled by the Home Office.

The Home Secretary said: "Human trafficking is a despicable crime, perpetrated by organised criminal gangs whose business is to make money from human misery.

"Pentameter Two has been a great success. It is an excellent example of partnership working and I would commend all those involved who have made a real impact in rescuing victims and bringing to justice those who exploit them."

Victims are brought to the UK and sold as commodities for sexual exploitation or forced labour.

Police chiefs have said women snared by human traffickers can be forced to have sex with up to 40 men a day by violent pimps.

A total of 55 police forces across the UK and the Republic of Ireland took part in the project.

The first Operation Pentameter in 2006 rescued 88 victims including a dozen children aged 14 to 17, and made 232 arrests.

It lasted four months so the rate of arrests and the number of victims uncovered in the second, six-month long operation was significantly higher.