British nationals are 'most common' victims of modern slavery and human trafficking

British nationals make up the majority of people reported as victims of modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK.

Referrals related to women and children are also both at a all-time high. Some 17,000 potential victims of modern slavery - which includes any form of human trafficking, slavery, servitude or forced labour - were referred to the Home Office in 2023, up slightly from 16,921 in 2022. It is the highest annual number since the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) began in 2009.

To access support and have recognition of their circumstances in the UK, victims of slavery and human trafficking have to be assessed under the NRM. Potential victims of modern slavery in the UK who come to the attention of authorised first responder organisations such as police, local authorities and Border Force are referred to the NRM.

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Females accounted for 24% of all referrals, totalling 4,088 which is the highest on record to date. Children made up more than four in 10 referrals, totalling 7,432 which was also the highest number on record.

A quarter of those referred to the NRM were of UK nationality (4,299), meaning it was the most common nationality for referrals. The Home Office said this was the same proportion as 2022 but that the number of UK nationals referred in 2023 was the highest for this nationality since the NRM began.

The second most commonly referred nationality was Albanian (24%; 4,052) and third was Vietnamese (6%; 991). Most UK nationals were child potential victims (78%; 3,350), the Home Office said, adding that most Albanian nationals were adult potential