Modern slavery in UK hits record levels

The number of potential victims of modern slavery in the UK reached a record level in the last quarter according to the latest official data, reports Simon John, co-lead of the Diocesan Initiative on Modern Slavery.

A total of 4,758 potential victims in the UK were referred to the Home Office between July and September this year. This amounts to a 10% increase compared to the previous three  months and a rise of 15% on the same quarter last year.

Simon says that if the increase is maintained as the pattern suggests the annual number of people found in slavery, will be around 20,000 in 2025 and 100,000 in just over a decade.

British is the largest nationality group, at 25%, found over the last eight years.

Modern Slavery Webinar Recording Available

The joint CBCEW/CSAN Modern Slavery Webinar held in October was recorded and a summary of the event and recordings of the three short talks are individually available on the CSAN website https://www.csan.org.uk/news/modern-slavery-on-our-doorstep/

The speakers were

• Father Mark Odion, at the CBCEW. Fr Mark discussed the importance of raising awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery in communities.
• Professor Carole Murphy, at St Mary’s University. Carole spoke about British victims of slavery and exploitation.
• Ben Ryan, Deputy CEO at Medaille Trust, one of the leading anti-slavery charities in the UK. Ben described support for survivors of modern slavery.

Shocking discovery of enslaved workers at McDonald’s in Cambs

“As if to emphasise the need for this webinar, we woke up a few days earlier to the shocking news that12 men and women had been forced to work in various places including McDonald’s in Caxton, Cambridgeshire,” said Simon. “That McDonald’s is a short distance from one of our parish churches.” 

The three gang members who trafficked the 12 people from eastern Europe were jailed for a total of 26 years after being convicted of trafficking and modern slavery. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99v7vzzr8vo

Volunteers needed

The Diocesan initiative to tackle Modern Slavery in East Anglia has taken off since its launch in February ‘24 with volunteers now numbering around 35. More are needed to become Freedom Watchers, learning the signs of modern slavery. Marginalised downtrodden people in our midst are yearning to be found and to be rescued. Once a suspicion is raised it is easy to safely report to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.

Initiative members will be available to answer questions and hand out information leaflets at the Diocesan Caritas Festival at St Walstan’s Church on Saturday morning November 30.

There is much information on this critical issue available on the Diocesan website that can be found by searching “RCDEA Slavery”.

Monday December 2 is International Day for the Abolition of Modern Slavery and locally will be marked that day with a talk from Simon John on Radio Maria at 10am speaking on Modern Slavery in India where there are estimated to be at least 11M people living in Modern Slavery. The broadcast will be repeated and is available on Radio Maria’s website as a podcast in the “Set the Downtrodden Free” series.

Please contact Simon at john_simong@hotmail.com

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