France, June 25 -- In a new evaluation report published on Thursday, the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (Greta) welcomed progress made by the French authorities over the past four years.

But it said further action was needed to identify victims more effectively, secure compensation for those affected and strengthen investigations into trafficking networks.

The report - the fourth evaluation of France by Greta after assessments in 2013, 2017 and 2022 - comes against a backdrop of rising concern over trafficking and related offences, including pimping, forced labour, exploitation of begging and other forms of abuse.

Data cited in the report showed the number of victims of trafficking an...