Criminal justice response to human trafficking examined
The Home Affairs Committee continues its inquiry into human trafficking on Wednesday 5 July with an evidence session examining how the different elements of the criminal justice system work together to combat this form of crime.
Meeting details
In 2022, there were 10,454 offences of modern slavery recorded by the police in England and Wales. However, only 95 (2%) have so far resulted in a charge or summons. According to the NPCC’s Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime Unit there are 3,632 live modern slavery investigations in the UK, including cases of labour, criminal, and sexual exploitation.
The session will examine how the different forms of trafficking and modern slavery are approached at a strategic and operational level by key law enforcement agencies. It will look at how they understand developing forms of crime, particularly those facilitated by internet platforms, and more hidden forms such as domestic servitude. The Committee will also examine how individual cases of human trafficking and modern slavery are identified, investigated and perpetrators prosecuted, as well as how victims are supported.