Modern Slavery Cases Soar in UK, With Experts Warning of a New Tech-Driven Threat
The United Kingdom is facing a deepening modern slavery and human trafficking crisis, with new figures showing a record rise in suspected victims, according to a major new report released on May 5, 2026.
Findings published by the office of the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Eleanor Lyons, reveal that referrals of suspected victims through the National Referral Mechanism have nearly doubled in five years — rising from 12,691 in 2021 to 23,411 in 2025.
The mechanism is the UK’s official system for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery.
Lyons warned that the surge reflects not only improved detection, but also a worsening global reality. She described a growing “pipeline of vulnerability” being driven by poverty, armed conflict, mass displacement, and weakened migration pathways that traffickers are increasingly exploiting.
The report, titled “Anticipating Exploitation: A Futures-Based Analysis”, is the first major forward-looking study examining how human trafficking could evolve in the UK over the next decade. It draws on input from more than 50 experts across law enforcement, government, charities, and civil society.
One of the most alarming findings is the growing role of technology in enabling exploitation.
The report warns that artificial intelligence could be used to “industrialise exploitation,” while online fraud schemes such as romance scams and fake investment platforms are already trapping victims in organised “scam compounds.” The increasing use of cryptocurrencies in trafficking operations is also raising concern among investigators.
Lyons warned that criminal networks are becoming “faster, more adaptive, and harder to detect,” adding that without urgent action, exploitation risks becoming more widespread and deeply embedded in society.
The report also highlights risks linked to gig economy platforms and forced labour in industries such as agriculture, construction, and mining. It further raises concern about emerging forms of abuse, including reproductive exploitation such as forced egg harvesting and coerced surrogacy.
In response, the Home Office said modern slavery remains a global crime driven by profit and confirmed ongoing efforts to improve victim identification, reduce case backlogs, and strengthen protections.
A separate assessment by GRETA also confirmed a rise in potential victims in the UK. While acknowledging progress by authorities, the group called for stronger laws, better coordination between agencies, and increased resources to combat trafficking networks.
Experts say the trend reflects a global shift in exploitation patterns, with traffickers adapting quickly to economic instability and digital platforms.
Without decisive intervention, the report warns that modern slavery will not only continue rising but will become more hidden, more complex, and significantly harder to dismantle.
