Exploitation and modern slavery

Exploitation and modern slavery include holding a person in a position of slavery, forced or compulsory labour, or facilitating their travel with the intention of exploiting them soon after.

Although human trafficking often involves being moved to another country, you can be a victim of modern slavery within your own country. You can be a victim even if you have given consent to be moved. Children cannot give consent to being exploited.

Get help and support

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact the police.

If you are concerned that a child or young person may be at risk of harm, contact our Contact, Advice and Assessment Service.

The Modern Slavery Helpline

The Modern Slavery Helpline helps victims, the public, statutory agencies and businesses find information, support services and report concerns.

The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 08000 121 700

You can also report concerns online.

For more information, visit the modern slavery helpline website.

Other support

You can find information about support and services on the following websites:

Identifying exploitation, modern slavery or human trafficking

Find information about spotting the signs of modern slavery, trafficking or exploitation on the websites below:

Guidance for public sector workers and professionals:

West Berkshire Council does not endorse nor accept any liability for the content of these pages and sites.

County lines

County lines is the police term for urban gangs supplying drugs to suburban areas and towns using dedicated mobile phone lines or 'deal lines'.

It involves child criminal exploitation (CCE), as gangs use children and vulnerable people to move drugs and money. Gangs establish a base, typically by taking over the homes of vulnerable adults in a practice called 'cuckooing'. People exploited by criminal gangs are victims of modern slavery.

For more information on county lines visit the National Crime Agency website.

The National Referral Mechanism (NRM)

Specific public authorities must tell the Home Office about any potential victims of modern slavery they know of. To do this, they use the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Using the NRM makes sure that victims receive the appropriate protection and support.

Find more information about the National Referral Mechanism on GOV.UK.

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

West Berkshire Council is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking from taking place.

We produce a Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking statement annually, in line with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The statement explains the steps that we have taken to make sure that no slavery or human trafficking takes place in our services or supply chains.

The following statements relate to activities undertaken during each financial year: