27/02/2026
Referrals of children as potential victims of continue to rise across the UK. The latest 2025 National Referral Mechanism statistics show 7,028 children were referred last year, a 16.5% increase on 2024.
Criminal exploitation continues as the most commonly identified form of harm, making up 50% of all child referrals. This includes children being used to supply and distribute drugs, commit theft, launder money and carry weapons. Among UK national children in particular, referrals have risen sharply, driven largely by boys exploited in criminal activity.
Labour exploitation is also increasing among some groups, including Sudanese boys.
Sexual exploitation remains the primary harm identified for girls. Referrals of girls for sexual exploitation have risen significantly in recent years, reflecting both increased recognition and ongoing risk.
While British children make up the largest number of referrals overall, some foreign national groups appear disproportionately represented relative to their population size. At the same time, sharp changes in referral patterns for certain nationalities raise important questions about identification, policy and access to protection.
Yet even these rising figures do not capture the true scale of child exploitation in the UK. Many children remain unidentified due to structural barriers, professional uncertainty, stigma and bias.
As reform of the NRM and the UK’s wider modern slavery framework is considered, children’s best interests must be at the centre of decision-making.
Read our full analysis and breakdown of the data below ⬇️
https://www.ecpat.org.uk/News/thousands-of-children-identified-as-potential-victims-of-modern-slavery-in-2025
