Number of UK human trafficking victims doubles in year

The number of British victims of human trafficking doubled last year, the National Crime Agency has revealed.

Social media and smartphone apps were being used by traffickers to recruit Brits and sexually exploit them.

Some victims were being "controlled" by drugs and alcohol and stated they were so "out of it" they did not know what was happening to them, the NCA report said.

Another potential victim reported that those exploiting her had pictures of her that they threatened to 'show around' if she did not do as they said.

A total of 3,309 people, including 732 children, were identified as potential victims of human trafficking in the UK - a 21% increase on the previous year.

They included 300 Brits - up 55% on 2013 - while the UK remained the most prevalent country of origin for potential child victims of human trafficking with 116 cases.

Many victims said they were being controlled by drink or drugs. Credit: PA

Caroline Young, deputy director of the NCA's organised crime command, said the figures showed authorities were "increasingly encountering and recognising examples of trafficking in our society".

  • What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is the movement of a person from one place to another deliberately to exploit them for reasons including labour, sex or crime.

Victims are usually deceived or coerced into giving consent to be moved.

  • Where does it happen most?

In its fourth annual report on human trafficking, the NCA said Romania was the most prevalent country of origin of potential victims of trafficking in the UK for the fourth year running.

The South East had the highest number of potential British victims with 51, compared with 34 in the North East, 31 in the East Midlands and 14 in London.

Some 298 victims of human trafficking were identified in London last year, followed by 289 in the South East, 235 in the South West and 226 in Yorkshire and Humber.

There were 193 potential victims in the West Midlands, 181 in Eastern England, 167 in the East Midlands, 133 in the North West, 67 in Scotland, 66 in Northern Ireland, 54 in the North East and 16 in Wales.

The remaining potential victims were recorded as being in multiple areas, overseas or their location was unknown.