More victims of organised criminal gangs are being referred to The Salvation Army’s modern slavery services in the North East than ever before.

This is according to the charity's latest report, Modern Slavery 2022, which reveals that in 2021 there were 230 people rescued from modern slavery in the region - a 22 per cent increase on the previous year.

The majority of these people had been forced to commit crimes, work against their will, or were coerced into prostitution.

And The Salvation Army, which provides support to help survivors recover through its network of safe houses and outreach services, is warning that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The figures are part of the church and charity’s eleventh annual report on its work supporting adult victims of modern slavery in England and Wales through the Government’s Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract.

The report showed that from July 2021 to June 2022 a total of 3,068 people, from more than 100 different nationalities, were referred to the charity and its partners.

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Of these, almost half experienced labour exploitation such as being forced to work in factories, building sites or farms with little or no pay.

23 per cent experienced sexual exploitation and 19.5 per cent experienced criminal exploitation like being forced to sell drugs.

Major Kathy Betteridge, The Salvation Army’s director of anti-trafficking and modern slavery, said: “Organised crime is at the heart of the modern slavery in the North East.

"Violent gangs think nothing of trafficking people to sell and force them in criminal activity.

"It’s also important to remember that it’s not just people who are trafficked from overseas, British people are the second most common nationality in our services.

"The sophisticated and often brutal methods used to trick and manipulate people into slavery touches all nationalities."

Major Betteridge said the public can help prevent modern slavery by alterting the authorities to anything suspicious that may indicate someone is being exploited.

She said: "So many of the people we support in our services had been trapped for years but your call could be the start of their path to freedom and recovery.”

The Salvation Army’s free confidential 24/7 referral helpline 0800 808 3733 is available for anyone who suspects they or someone they have met may be a victim of modern slavery and needs help.

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