The number of potential victims of modern slavery referred for support in the UK has reached an all-time high—yet referrals in Gloucestershire have dropped, raising questions about local awareness and identification efforts.
According to the latest Home Office figures, 65 potential victims were referred to Gloucestershire Constabulary in 2024, down from 89 the previous year. This decrease contrasts sharply with national figures, where referrals rose by 13% to a record 19,125, the highest since data collection began in 2009.
Of those referred nationally, nearly 6,000 were children. In Gloucestershire alone, 27 of the identified potential victims were under 18. Forced labour accounted for the majority of adult referrals (41%), while criminal exploitation was behind nearly half (48%) of the cases involving minors.
Dani Wardman, CEO of the Medaille Trust, responded to the data, saying:
“The rise in national referrals shows real progress in identifying victims of modern slavery. But these numbers still only scratch the surface. We estimate that over 120,000 people in the UK may be trapped in modern slavery. There’s still so much more to be done.”
Ms Wardman also expressed concern over delays in the National Referral Mechanism (NRM)—the UK’s process for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery.
“Identification is only the first step. Victims are waiting far too long for final decisions, with the average wait now at 637 days, up from 526 days the year before. These delays are undermining survivors’ recovery and mental wellbeing.”
Of the 17,304 final decisions made in 2024, just 56% concluded the person was a victim, a drop from 66% the previous year. Meanwhile, over 17,000 people with positive initial decisions were still awaiting conclusive grounds as of December.
Euan Fraser from Hope for Justice echoed the concern:
“Swift decision-making is crucial—but it must protect people in precarious situations. The threshold for confirmation is becoming harder to meet, which risks denying support to those who need it most.”
Both charities are calling for the government to work with experts and survivors to improve the system—ensuring protection, recovery, and justice.
A Home Office spokesperson said:
“Modern slavery is a barbaric crime. We’re using every tool to identify victims, safeguard survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.”
They added that efforts are underway to clear the backlog within two years.
