The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has welcomed a number of measures introduced by the UK authorities to combat human trafficking, while urging further reforms to ensure full compliance with the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
In its latest evaluation report on the United Kingdom, GRETA noted a significant increase in the number of potential trafficking victims referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), rising from 12,687 referrals in 2021 to 17,390 between January and September 2025.
The report observed that British nationals constituted the largest group referred to the NRM during the 2021–2025 reporting period. Labour exploitation remained the most common form of trafficking overall, accounting for 29% of referrals between 2021 and 2024. Among children, criminal exploitation linked to so-called “county lines” drug networks was identified as the predominant form of exploitation.
GRETA welcomed reforms aimed at reducing delays in victim identification, including changes to the NRM process, the recruitment of additional personnel and the introduction of devolved decision-making for presumed child victims through local multi-agency panels.
However, the monitoring body called on the UK authorities to ensure that identification procedures are completed within a reasonable timeframe and that individuals referred to the NRM are not removed from the United Kingdom before the process concludes.
The report also praised efforts to strengthen the criminal justice response to trafficking offences, including the use of specialised web-crawling technologies and digital investigative tools to detect trafficking activity and gather evidence.
Despite these developments, GRETA stressed that additional resources, greater prioritisation and improved co-ordination between law enforcement agencies and other bodies are still required. The report also highlighted the need for stronger financial investigations into trafficking networks.
GRETA further welcomed revised guidance introduced across England, Wales and Scotland following a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights concerning the non-prosecution of trafficking victims compelled to commit criminal offences. Nonetheless, it expressed concern at continuing reports that victims are still being prosecuted and convicted for crimes they were forced to carry out.
The report identified several further areas requiring improvement, including enhanced protections against labour exploitation and better safeguards for vulnerable groups such as children, migrants, asylum seekers and homeless individuals.
In addition, GRETA expressed concern regarding ongoing difficulties experienced by trafficking victims in accessing legal assistance and free legal aid. It also called on the UK authorities to ensure that compensation schemes provide effective and timely redress for the full harm suffered by victims.
Read the full Evaluation Report here.