Thousands of potential trafficking victims held in immigration centres, data shows

UK's detain first, ask later' approach is hampering state's ability to identify victims, say charities

More than 4,500 people have been held in immigration detention in the UK before being released into the community and only then identified as potential victims of trafficking, official figures for the past five years show.

Charities claim the figures demonstrate a detain first, ask later" attitude that runs counter to the fight against modern slavery and suggest others are probably being deported without having been referred for support. They fear the situation will be exacerbated by the nationality and borders bill, which they say makes it harder to identify victims.