Dozens of potential slavery victims were referred to Dorset Police in the last year as the Home Office reveals plans to restrict claims to stop alleged ‘abuse’ of the system.

Figures show there has been a rise in the number of referrals for support across the UK, and anti-slavery charities are now calling on the Government to stop "distracting attention from the real criminals.”

It comes after Home Secretary Suella Braverman received criticism for attributing the increase in modern slavery victims to migrants ‘gaming the system’ by claiming asylum in the UK as victims of slavery, and reclassifying the crime as an ‘illegal immigration and asylum’ issue, rather than a safeguarding one.

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The latest Home Office figures show 74 potential modern slavery cases were referred to Dorset Police for investigation in the year to June – and of them, 38 were aged 17 and under.

The total number is down from 78 the year before.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: 

Detective Chief Inspector Steve May, of Dorset Police’s Child Safeguarding team, said: “Dorset Police is committed to working with partners to tackle modern slavery and we are doing all we can to encourage reporting and investigate offences reported to us. 

“We recognise that modern slavery is sadly an increasing concern and it is something that we take very seriously.

“A number of the incidents reported to us relate to county lines drug networks that involve the criminal exploitation of children and young people. 

“We have a dedicated County Lines Management Team that has been set up to focus on safeguarding the most vulnerable within our community with proactive visits and engagement, as well as to disrupt the activities of perpetrators.

“We work closely with police and law enforcement agencies across the region to share information relating to both victims and perpetrators of modern day slavery, to target disruption and enforcement opportunities.

“We are also committed to supporting children who are linked to modern day slavery, with police and social care specialists working to identify what help they need and how partners can come together to support them. This includes bespoke services that are available through the National Referral Mechanism.

“We also recognise that labour and sexual exploitation present emerging threats within Dorset and we are taking action to identify those groups involved in this criminal activity and safeguard victims.

“As part of a national operation, we are working on improving the multi-agency response to complex issues surrounding migrant children. All officers have also undertaken dedicated vulnerability training with an emphasis on modern slavery and human trafficking, so that those on the frontline are better placed to spot the signs that someone is being exploited and respond accordingly.

“Members of the public can assist in our efforts by learning about the signs and indicators of modern slavery and reporting any concerns to us.”

For more information about the signs of modern slavery and how to report it visit https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/abuse-exploitation-neglect/ht-ms/.