Human Trafficking

(asked on 25th June 2018) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many of the potential victims of trafficking identified during Operation Aidant were arrested prior to being identified as potential victims of trafficking; and for which offences those arrests were made.


Answered by
Victoria Atkins Portrait
Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
This question was answered on 3rd July 2018

Project AIDANT is the series of multi-agency operational intensifications to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking led by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The number of potential victims reported to the NCA as being identified as a result of Project AIDANT activity so far in 2018 is 173. 111 of these were reported as having been identified as part of ‘AIDANT 11’ which took place from 14-18 May 2018. Of the 173 potential victims, 47 have been reported to the NCA as having been referred to the NRM as victims accepting support and 27 notified to the Duty To Notify (DTN) as victims not accepting support.

Data on those arrested prior to identification as potential victims of trafficking, is not captured by the NCA.

The procedures for assessing whether an individual encountered by immigration enforcement is a victim of trafficking are published and contained within guidance available at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/509326/victims-of-modern-slavery-frontline-staff-guidance-v3.pdf.

Quarterly data on referrals to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) are available via the following link:

http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/national-referral-mechanism-statistics

Data shows only referrals to the NRM:

In 2018 Q1 HO Immigration Enforcement referred 25 people to the NRM and UK Border Force also referred 25 people.

In 2017 Q4 HO Immigration Enforcement referred 23 people to the NRM and UK Border Force referred 35 people.

In 2017 Q3 HO Immigration Enforcement referred 26 people to the NRM and UK Border Force referred 43 people.

In 2017 Q2 HO Immigration Enforcement referred 19 people to the NRM and UK Border Force referred 26 people.

Data on those encountered who are thought to be victims but who do not agree to enter the NRM are recorded under the Duty to Notify. Data for Home Office referrals under Duty to Notify are published in the annual report and are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2017-uk-annual-report-on-modern-slavery

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