Referrals have hit a record high across the UK reports Clara Margotin, Data Reporter

The silhouette of young woman side-on holding one of her arms to her head — Police forces across the UK received referrals for 19,125 potential victims of modern slavery last year – (Credit – Radar)

Fewer potential modern slavery victims were referred to the Met Police for investigation last year, new figures show.

It comes as the number of referrals across the UK soared to a record high.

A charity which supports victims of modern slavery said the increasing number of referrals vindicate improvements in identifying and supporting victims of exploitation, but warned “there remains a great deal of work to be done”.

New Home Office figures show 5,027 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the Met Police for investigation in 2024 – down from 5,173 the previous year.

Meanwhile, police forces across the UK received referrals for 19,125 potential victims of modern slavery last year – up 13% from 16,990 the previous year, and the highest figure since national records began in 2009.

Of all individuals referred, 5,999 were children, including 1,333 in London.

Modern slavery is a term that includes any form of human trafficking, slavery, servitude or forced labour.

Forced labour accounted for 41% of adult referrals last year, while 48% of under-18 referrals were for criminal exploitation.

Dani Wardman, CEO of the Medaille Trust, which supports victims of modern slavery, said the increasing number of referrals made to authorities “is evidence of the improving and vital work to identify potential victims in the UK”.

But Wardman warned there could be more than 120,000 victims across the country, adding “there remains a great deal of work to be done if the UK is to eradicate the scourge of modern slavery”.

She added the identification of victims remains “only one part of the challenge”, as victims continue to wait “far too long” to get a final decision following a referral.

Those referred are assessed as to whether they are a victim of modern slavery on reasonable grounds and conclusive grounds, the latter of which requires a higher threshold.

Last year, 56% of the 17,304 conclusive grounds decisions made deemed a person to be a modern slavery victim – down from 66% the year before.

However, as of December, 17,168 cases that had been issued a positive reasonable grounds decision were awaiting a conclusive grounds decision.

The average median waiting time from referral to a conclusive grounds verdict was 637 days last year, up from 526 days the year before.

Wardman said the long waiting time undermines survivors’ recovery and mental health.

Euan Fraser, senior policy and research advisor at anti-trafficking charity Hope for Justice, said putting modern slavery victims’ needs first is “vital”.

He warned a harsher threshold has led to fewer referrals confirming victims, which can undermine a survivor’s recovery.

Fraser said: “Swift decision making is helpful, but it must be done within a framework which offers meaningful protection to people often in very precarious situations.

“We would urge the government to work with people with lived and learned experience to reconsider how survivors are identified and supported in order to help ensure they can achieve a sustainable recovery and to see traffickers held to account.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Modern slavery is a barbaric crime that exploits and dehumanises its victims.

“That’s why this government is using every lever at its disposal to identify victims, safeguard survivors and punish their abusers.”

They added the government is “working at pace” to clear the decision backlog in two years.

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