UK’s people trafficking referrals at record high, Home Office data reveals

Government's system for potential trafficking victims to access support had 4,171 referrals from April to June

The number of referrals for people trafficking has increased by a third in the last year, according to Home Office data, with nine out of 10 of suspected cases accepted to be victims.

The number of referrals for the period April-June 2022 was 4,171 - the highest number recorded since the national referral mechanism (NRM) was introduced in 2009. This is the government's system for potential victims of trafficking to access support and have their cases investigated.