Slightly more potential modern slavery victims were referred to Thames Valley Police for investigation in the most recent quarter, new figures show.

Home Office figures show 121 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to Thames Valley Police for investigation between July and September.

This was up slightly from 119 the quarter before, but a fall from 122 in the same period in 2023.

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Across the UK, a total of 4,758 potential victims were referred to the Home Office between July and September – up 10 per cent compared to the previous three months.

The Home Office said the number of referrals for the latest three-month period is the highest since the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) began in 2009.

Of the referrals, 1,498 were children. This included 40 referrals to Thames Valley Police.

Adam Hewitt, spokesperson for anti-slavery charity Hope for Justice, said modern slavery is a "hidden" and "unusual" crime as many people affected do not see themselves as victims.

He explained: "This means it is very difficult to know whether the rising number of potential victims being referred reflects an increase in the amount of modern slavery taking place, or instead, a welcome increase in the number of existing victims being identified.

"Either way, it is critical that we put the needs of those at risk of modern slavery and survivors of this crime at the heart of our response."

He said survivors often have to navigate a "complex web of services and multiple barriers" to getting help and called for government policies to prevent exploitation.

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Victims of slavery and human trafficking have to be assessed under the NRM to have recognition of their circumstances in the UK, determining whether they have "reasonable grounds" for statutory support - meaning they are considered potential victims. 

They are then assessed again and, if considered to be a confirmed victim, given a "positive conclusive grounds" decision.

The Home Office said 4,953 reasonable grounds and 5,188 conclusive grounds decisions were issued between July and September.

It was the highest number of conclusive grounds decisions issued for any quarter since the NRM began, representing a 35 per cent increase from the previous record between January and March 2024.

Over half of conclusive grounds decisions were positive, the Home Office said.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Modern slavery is a scourge that dehumanises and traumatises people for profit, and we are committed to tackling it in all its forms.

"We recognise that survivors are waiting far too long for a decision. That is why we are hiring 200 new decision-makers to clear this backlog in two years and ensure survivors get the certainty and support they need to rebuild their lives."

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