Record number of potential slavery victims in Norfolk

Sex workers trafficked into the county and young people forced into selling drugs were among cases that led to perpetrators being jailed. 

Recent Home Office figures show 135 potential victims of modern slavery – which includes any form of human trafficking, slavery, servitude or forced labour – were referred to Norfolk Constabulary in 2023.

Female victims have been referred in Norfolk in trafficking and sexual exploitation cases (Image: PA)

It was up from 110 referrals the year before and the highest since comparable records began in 2018.

It included 72 children aged under 17. The true numbers are likely to be much higher.

Campaigners said it showed the "harsh reality" of modern slavery for hundreds of often vulnerable young people forced into work or illegal activities to pay off debts to gang-masters and traffickers.

Victoria Tecca, from the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre, said many were “exploited in harsh conditions, facing threats, violence and intimidation".

She added it was "particularly troubling" to see record numbers of children in the statistics.

There were 72 live police operations into child slavery in Norfolk last year (Image: PA)

Victims have often been forced into sex work, domestic servitude or labour exploitation in agriculture and businesses like nail salons and car washes.

They frequently suffer very low pay and poor working conditions and dilapidated, cramped accommodation.

Trafficked for sex and forced to sell drugs

Three women and two men who were part of an organised crime gang were jailed last year for a total of 10 years after facilitating the movement of women from Hungary to Norwich.

Members of an organised crime gang jailed for more than 10 years for arranging the travel of vulnerable sex workers into Norfolk (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Norwich Crown Court heard a phone belonging to Lakatos contained 12,000 messages relating to "young and vulnerable to exploitation" victims who they had arranged to bring over for sex work.

In another case two men were jailed for modern day slavery offences after they forced teenagers to operate a so-called county lines operation, bringing crack cocaine and heroin from London to Norwich by train.

Kingsley Annor and Trevor Kutsirayi were caught after the two of the youth, who had been reported missing, were found at a property off Newmarket Road.

Trevor Kutsirayi and Kingsley Annor were jailed for modern slavery offences for forcing teenagers into county lines drug dealing (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Meanwhile an Albanian gang were jailed over a cannabis growing operation in Banham that used vulnerable workers who had been forced into work to pay off debts. 

Delays sees some victims 'left in limbo'

Potential victims are referred to police via the National Referral Mechanism but campaigners said some survivors had been “left in limbo” after waiting times had quadrupled last year.

The average time from being referred to getting a first decision, known as a reasonable grounds decision, was 23 days, up from six days in the previous year.

Modern slavery victims often suffer low pay, poor working conditions and are forced to live in poor accommodation (Image: National Crime Agency)

Maya Esslemont, director of After Exploitation which tracks modern slavery in the UK, said: "We remain deeply concerned that action is still not being taken to tackle the root causes of modern slavery, whilst the number of survivors is growing."

She added it is "vital that the government addresses the gulf between survivors recognised by first responders and those who eventually go on to get support that addresses their needs."

New project offers one-to-one support 

Police are reliant on members of the public or victims themselves coming forward to report crimes that often take place behind closed doors.

READ MORE: Specialist unit to help modern slavery victims amid rising cases

A new project funded with a £125,000 grant from Norfolk’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) launched last year to help coordinate support across the county.

The three year scheme will ensure specialist one-to-one support for up to 100 victims.

Independent Anti-Slavery commissioner Eleanor Lyons (Image: PA/Home Office)

Independent Anti-Slavery commissioner Eleanor Lyons said it was concerning that “criminals are finding new and shockingly ruthless ways to exploit victims”.

She added: “We must do more to tackle the perpetrators behind these heinous crimes. 

“We cannot yield in our efforts to tackle modern slavery and more must be done to prevent individuals from becoming exploited and protect them from harm.”

If you think someone is being exploited or have suspicions about modern slavery/human trafficking, reported confidentially on 08000 121700 or online.