Report human trafficking
Human trafficking is the trade of people for exploitation and commercial gain.
If you think someone has been trafficked, you can help make them safe.
If you suspect human trafficking, call the police. Call 999 if it’s an emergency, or 101 if it’s not urgent.
If you’d prefer to stay anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
If you don’t want to call the police, you can talk to a charity anonymously.
Identify human trafficking
Human trafficking doesn’t just happen in the sex industry. People are exploited in construction, farming and even working in other people’s homes.
Usually people who have been trafficked are:
- lied to about what a job involves
- brought from another country (but people can also be trafficked within the UK)
- forced to work
- monitored very closely by whoever they work for
Because people are trafficked to work for very little pay, or none at all, it’s sometimes called ‘modern day slavery’ or labour ‘exploitation’.
Signs of human trafficking
All trafficking cases are different, but there are common signs. A victim of trafficking might:
- have a lack of freedom
- work for very little or no pay
- seem to be in debt to someone
- live in fear of someone, or even the authorities
- have signs of physical abuse, like cuts and bruises
- move location regularly
Children can be trafficked too. They will share many common signs with adult victims, but may stand out from other children because:
- they have money or possessions that they can’t account for
- they don’t seem to live with parents or guardians
- they’re emotionally unstable, eg aggressive, withdrawn or anxious
Get advice
If you want confidential advice about trafficking before calling the police, there are a number of specialist organisations you can talk to. You can contact:
- The Salvation Army’s 24 hour confidential helpline for reporting modern slavery on 0300 3038 151
- The Modern Day Slavery Foundation’s helpline on 0800 0121 700, open 24 hours a day
- the NSPCC’s helpline on 0808 8005 000 if you think a child is in danger of trafficking
If you want to talk to someone face-to-face, your local Citizens Advice can help you decide what to do next.
What happens after you report trafficking
The first thing the police will do is protect someone who has been trafficked from anyone that might harm them.
The police and specialist organisations will work together to provide the victim with practical and emotional support. They’ll get medical care and help arranging accommodation in safe place, away from their traffickers.
If it’s safe, they’ll be helped to return to their home country. If it’s not safe to return, perhaps because they might be trafficked again, they can apply for asylum in the UK.