Dozens of potential slavery victims were referred to Cumbria Constabulary in the last year, figures show.

Figures show there has been a rise in the number of referrals for support across the UK, and anti-slavery charities are now calling on the Government to stop "distracting attention from the real criminals.”

The latest Home Office figures show 26 potential modern slavery cases were referred to Cumbria Constabulary for investigation in the year to June – and of them, 14 were aged 17 and under.

The total number is up from 12 the year before.

Earlier this year, Carlisle man Peter Swailes was given a suspended sentence over his part in the exploitation of a man kept in a shed for 40 years and paid £10 a day for exhausting labour.

Across the UK, modern slavery referrals for suspected victims have risen.

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There were 14,600 in the year to June, and 5,800 of them were children – up from 11,600 and 5,200 respectively the year before.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Donnelly is Cumbria Constabulary’s force lead for modern slavery.

He said: “Such offences can occur anywhere in the country, including here in Cumbria

“Cumbria Police and our partners have invested time and resources into raising awareness of these types of crimes, so the public is more aware of the signs, whilst an increase in intelligence as a result of proactive efforts in looking at these types of hidden-harm type crimes and offences has contributed significantly to a rise in reports.

“We work hard to protect vulnerable people, including vulnerable young people, and to stop any possible exploitation as quickly as possible, whilst bringing anyone found responsible for such offending to justice.

“One of our key priorities is to safeguard those victims of these offences and the public can have a part to play in helping us protect these people.

“Many of these cases are identified through the vigilance of the public and our partners as they become more aware and attuned to identifying victims and offenders alike.

“So, as always, we would urge anyone with information or any concerns to contact us as soon as possible.”

 

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