CYP Now - Rise in child slavery victims attributed to county lines gangs

The number of children being identified as potential victims of modern slavery has increased by more than 800 per cent in the past five years, it has emerged, with the rise linked to the growing issue of so-called county lines gangs.

National Crime Agency statistics show the number of council referrals of suspected child victims of modern slavery in England to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) has risen from 127 in 2014 to 1,152 in 2018, an increase of 807 per cent. In the last year alone, there has been a 67 per cent increase on the 690 referrals in 2017.

The Local Government Association said the spiralling referral rates are being fuelled by an increased awareness of modern slavery and the growing issue of young people being exploited by county lines drugs gangs.

It is urging the government to use next year's Spending Review to ensure there is funding to help tackle modern slavery and support its victims, as councils currently receive no specific funding for this purpose.

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