A record number of children have fallen victim to criminal exploitation or modern slavery according to the latest Home Office figures.
Driven in part by a “rapid increase” in county lines drug-dealing, the latest data shows that 1,630 children have been referred as suspected victims of exploitation this quarter (April to June 2022).
This is a 20% increase on the previous quarter and includes 813 British and 817 foreign nationals.
The disturbing figures have sparked calls for professionals and authorities to step-up vigilance for signs that a child is being exploited.
