More victims of organised criminal gangs are being referred to The Salvation Army's modern slavery services in the South West than ever before according to new report.

Last year 150 people were rescued from modern slavery in the South West, the majority of whom had been forced to commit crimes, work against their will, or coerced into sex work. This is a 4.3 per cent increase on the previous year.

The Salvation Army, which provides support to help survivors recover through its network of safe houses and outreach services, is warning that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The figures are part of the church and charity's eleventh annual report on its work providing specialist support to adult victims of modern slavery in England and Wales through the Government's Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract.

The report showed that from July 2021 to June 2022 a total of 3,068 people, from more than 100 different nationalities, were referred to The Salvation Army and its partners. Of these:

• 46 per cent experienced labour exploitation such as being forced to work in factories, building sites or farms with little or no pay - a 36 per cent rise from 2020/21
• 23 per cent experienced sexual exploitation - a 10 per cent rise from 2020/21
• 19.5 per cent experienced criminal exploitation like being forced to sell drugs - a 27 per cent rise from 2020/21.

Major Kathy Betteridge, The Salvation Army's director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery, said: "Organised crime is at the heart of the modern slavery in the South West. Violent gangs think nothing of trafficking people to sell and force them in criminal activity.

"It's also important to remember that it's not just people who are trafficked from overseas, British people are the second most common nationality in our services. The sophisticated and often brutal methods used to trick and manipulate people into slavery touches all nationalities.

The Salvation Army's free confidential 24/7 referral helpline 0800 808 3733 is available for anyone who suspects they or someone they have met may be a victim of modern slavery and needs help.