Freedom of information response
Modern slavery
I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request the following information in relation to the victims of forced criminality known as ‘criminal exploitation’.
For the six month period January to June 2023 please provide the following information:
The number of NRM referrals made by your local authority as First Responder relating to reported ‘criminal exploitation’ broken down by age, gender and nationality of the potential victim.
The number of NRM referrals made by your local authority flagged as ‘county lines’
For the NRM referrals for criminal exploitation for children under 18 years old how many were (i) in mainstream school, (ii) in alternative provision at the time of referral
For the NRM referrals for criminal exploitation for children under 18 years old how many had been (i) persistently absent from school or (ii) severely absent from school in the 12 months prior to referral.
For the NRM referrals for criminal exploitation for children under 18 years old how many were (i) a ‘looked after’ child or (ii) a child in need prior to referral.
For the NRM referrals for criminal exploitation for adults aged 18 years and above, how many have (i) had their care and support needs assessed and (ii) been provided with support under a support plan under the Care Act 2014.
I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request the following information in relation to the victims of forced criminality known as ‘criminal exploitation’.
For the six month period January to June 2023 please provide the following information:
The number of NRM referrals made by your local authority as First Responder relating to reported ‘criminal exploitation’ broken down by age, gender and nationality of the potential victim.
Thurrock started tracking this data for children in February 2023 and so can only provide from this point.
Total - 16
Age: 14 yrs = Fewer than 5
15 yrs = Fewer than 5
16 yrs = 10
17 yrs = Fewer than 5
Gender: 13 Males 3 Females
Nationality
African – 6
White British – 6
Indian – Fewer than 5
Any other mixed background – Fewer than 5
Any other Asian background – Fewer than 5
The number of NRM referrals made by your local authority flagged as ‘county lines’
County Lines – Fewer than 5
Possibly County Line - Fewer than 5
For the NRM referrals for criminal exploitation for children under 18 years old how many were (i) in mainstream school, (ii) in alternative provision at the time of referral
(i)10
(ii) Fewer than 5
For the NRM referrals for criminal exploitation for children under 18 years old how many had been (i) persistently absent from school or (ii) severely absent from school in the 12 months prior to referral. 9
Low School attendance - Fewer than 5
On role but not attending school – 5
Alternative provision – Fewer than 5
For the NRM referrals for criminal exploitation for children under 18 years old how many were (i) a ‘looked after’ child or (ii) a child in need prior to referral.
(i) 5
(ii) 6
For the NRM referrals for criminal exploitation for adults aged 18 years and above, how many have (i) had their care and support needs assessed and (ii) been provided with support under a support plan under the Care Act 2014.
The only data we have are the number of modern slavery cases that are referred as a safeguarding concern. There have been no modern slavery safeguarding concerns raised from January to June 2023
We are unable to provide an exact number for questions above as:
- There is a low number involved.
- The release of this information could identify individuals which would constitute their personal data under the Data Protection Act
- There is no prior expectation on the part of these individuals that their personal information would be published in the wider public domain under the FOI Act
- Personal data of any other person is exempt under section 40 (2) of the Data Protection Act.
However in the interests of transparency we are able to provide this information to you categorised as fewer than 5 to give you an indication of the figures
You are free to use any information supplied to you for your own use, including non-commercial research purposes. However, any other type of re-use, for example, by publishing the information or issuing copies to the public will require the permission of the copyright owner.
Where the copyright is owned by Thurrock Council, you must apply to the Council to re-use the information. Please email information.matters@thurrock.gov.uk if you wish to re-use the information you have been supplied. For information where the copyright is owned by another person or organisation, you must apply to the copyright owner to obtain their permission.
If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the council have managed your FOI request you can pursue an Internal Review by contacting us using the above email address. An internal review must be submitted within 40 working days of your original reply. Your request will be considered by a senior member of the Information Management Team who will update you with the outcome of the review.
If you remain unhappy following the outcome of your Internal Review you may wish to refer your case to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and details of this organisation can be found at www.ico.org.uk . Please be advised that the ICO will not consider your case until they have confirmation that you have already been through the Internal Review stage with the council.