TENS of thousands of people across the UK – including dozens in Wales – remain trapped in modern slavery, according to new figures released by The Salvation Army.

The charity, which delivers the UK Government’s Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract in England and Wales, says that for the fifth year running British nationals are the second largest group accessing its specialist support services.

In Wales alone, fifty-two people of various nationalities were rescued and supported in safe houses and outreach programmes run by The Salvation Army and its partners. However, the charity believes thousands more remain hidden and trapped in exploitation.

Last year, two hundred and forty-six British men and women were referred into its services – a twelve per cent drop on the previous year despite evidence that exploitation remains widespread. The Salvation Army says this suggests victims are being silenced by fear, overlooked by professionals, or unaware that help exists, while criminals continue to profit from abuse across the UK.

New analysis indicates that between forty-eight thousand and seventy thousand British people may currently be living in slavery, meaning the true scale of exploitation is being dangerously underestimated.

A total of two thousand four hundred and nine potential victims – representing over one hundred nationalities – entered The Salvation Army’s support network in the past year, three hundred and thirty-two fewer than in 2023. The charity believes the fall in referrals may be linked to fears among victims that they will be treated as offenders rather than survivors, particularly those trafficked into the UK.

Inconsistent training for First Responders such as police officers and council staff has also left many victims invisible and unable to access life-saving help.

According to the charity’s annual report, released ahead of Anti-Slavery Day: sixty-five per cent of survivors experienced forced labour; twenty per cent were sexually exploited; ten per cent were victims of criminal exploitation; and eight per cent endured domestic servitude. Fifty-seven per cent identified as male, forty-three per cent as female, and less than one per cent as transgender. Over one hundred nationalities were represented, with Vietnamese, British and Eritrean survivors among the most common.

Since 2011, The Salvation Army and its partners have supported 26,974 survivors to begin rebuilding their lives.

The Salvation Army’s Director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery, Kathy Betteridge said: “Criminals prey on vulnerability. They groom and coerce people – adults and young people alike – into situations where they feel trapped and powerless. Exploitation can happen to anyone, anywhere, and we see first-hand the devastating impact it has.

“We are deeply concerned that victims are being silenced by fear and left in the shadows. Modern slavery is a human rights abuse, not an immigration issue, and every survivor deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion.

“With the right support, even those most broken by trauma can rebuild their lives. That’s why it is vital the Government, public services and the public work together to identify and protect victims. Be the eyes that save lives.”

The Salvation Army has worked with ITV’s Emmerdale on a hard-hitting modern slavery storyline to help raise awareness and encourage real-life victims to seek help.

In the plot, characters April and Dylan – played by Amelia Flanagan and Fred Kettle – are manipulated by trafficker Ray, played by Joe Absolom, into a cycle of crime and psychological control.

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said: “We have been extremely grateful for the support from The Salvation Army. They provided invaluable help with both the county lines story involving April and Dylan and another storyline soon to air. Their expertise ensured our portrayal of these shocking yet prevalent situations was authentic.”

As the Government’s delivery partner since 2011, The Salvation Army provides survivors with safe accommodation, counselling, medical care, legal advice and life-skills training. Outcomes remain strong, with ninety-five per cent of people leaving its services having their own place to live, ninety-eight per cent receiving a personalised recovery plan within five days, and ninety-one per cent rating their support as good or very good.

Support is holistic, combining safety, trust and choice to help survivors regain confidence and independence.

Survivor Rohina*, who was trafficked and forced to work in factories and as a care worker under constant threat, said: “I don’t want anyone else to go through what I went through. The Salvation Army gave me safety, hope and a future I never thought possible. I still have nightmares, but now I have a future. They’ve helped me feel like a human being again. I will never be exploited again.”

The full Modern Slavery 2025 Report and details of how to seek help are available at www.salvationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery/modern-slavery-latest-reports