HUNDREDS of potential slavery victims were referred to the Police in Essex, new figures show.

Modern slavery cases soared nationally in 2021, with 345 potential cases of modern slavery flagged to Essex Police last year.

The Home Officer data also showed that at least 172 - half of the total potential cases - involved children.

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Southend Councillor Matt Dent said it was heart-breaking that slavery still exists.

He said: “It is horrifying to hear that this is on the increase in the UK with hundreds of cases in Essex.

“It is easy to think of as slavery as a historical issue, but the truth is that in the form of modern slavery it still exists to this day.

“In terms of the fact it is obviously horrifying and heart-breaking that it does seem to have a large number that involve children in Essex too and that will be a concern to everyone.”

Where a form of exploitation was recorded, the figures showed that 34 referrals were linked to labour-related exploitation, 20 were sexual, and 121 criminal such as “county lines” activity.

And the number of cases rose more sharply in Essex than elsewhere in the UK, with a 30 per cent rise from 265 cases in 2020, compared to a national increase of 20 per cent.

Police chiefs also noted that the data given by the Home Office is unlikely to show the true scale of modern slavery in the UK and that there is still more to be done to tackle the issue.

Mr Dent added it is important that people are aware of the issue.

He said: “It is extremely important that we not only work against it but we also raise awareness of it as it is something that is still ongoing.

“But on the more positive side, we obviously know this is ongoing and the fact they are being reported to the police is a good thing and suggests police operations against this are having some affect.

“It is one of those things that we need to raise awareness of and continue operating against.”