Figures may hide true number of Nottinghamshire exploitation victims

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Questions have been raised over official numbers around exploitation

By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter

Official figures may not be reflecting the true number of people who are being illegally exploited in Nottinghamshire.

A total of 89 victims of human trafficking, modern day slavery or sexual exploitation were reported in the county last year through a National Referral Mechanism.

Referrals can be made by police forces, councils, government bodies and some charities, and aim to get victims the support they need.

Of the 89 reports in 2023, fewer than 50 were made by either Notts Police or the city council.

Councillor Georgia Power (Lab) challenged authorities on the “incredibly low” numbers during a Nottingham City Council committee meeting on Wednesday (May 15).

“I don’t believe this is all that we know about in the whole of the county. It says Nottinghamshire Police reported 22 people last year and the City Council reported 25. It can’t just be that,” she said.

John Matravers, Head of Service for Safeguarding and Quality Assurance, said: “I would never say we have identified every case. We are working together to increase recognition of [exploitation] by the whole community.

“We want children to feel safe and all adults to be able to recognise and respond to exploitation. We expect to see the numbers increase as that happens.”

He said there had been a total of 178 risk management meetings last year, but not all people met the criteria to be referred.

Adults have to consent to a referral being made, although children don’t, and guidance says they should always be considered for anyone under 18.

Councils, police and other services are collaborating on the Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnerships to reduce exploitation in the region.

The scheme aims to raise awareness of the issue, saying that many children in this situation don’t realise they’re being taken advantage of.

Mr Matravers added that the council’s strategy “mustn’t be a token document sitting on a shelf that doesn’t have an impact”.

DCI Paul Lefford told the meeting: “Nottinghamshire Police have been proactive around the night-time economy, looking into nightclubs or takeaways where we are concerned or have community intelligence.”

Cllr Power also raised concerns about none of the statistics on the partnership’s work being public, and was promised they would be disclosed when possible.

The meeting was told that the way authorities spoke about child exploitation was changing.

Phrases such as “child prostitutes”, “children who put themselves in risky situations” and other which put the blame on victims have been banned.

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