HIGH-profile sex trafficking cases like Oxford’s Operation Bullfinch have led to more child victims being identified, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said.

Figures published yesterday revealed the potential number of human trafficking victims in the United Kingdom in 2013 had risen by 22 per cent to 2,744 compared to the year before.

Liam Vernon, head of the NCA’s UK Human Trafficking Centre, said high-profile cases like those in Oxford and Rotherham had raised awareness about sex slavery and prompted police and councils to act. The NCA figures also show UK child victims of trafficking had risen from 38 in 2012 to 138 last year – 88 per cent of which were sexually exploited. Oxfordshire figures were not available.

Mr Vernon said the figures were based on sources including charities, councils and police. It was too early to say whether trafficking was increasing or whether the authorities were simply getting better at uncovering it.

He also said people were not just trafficked for sex and many men from the UK were forced to do work by gangs after beoming homeless.

Oxford Community Against Trafficking (Oxcat) spokeswoman Sian Ducker welcomed the rise as a sign more people were reporting cases, but added: “But it is the tip of the iceberg, I am sure.”

Seven Oxford men were jailed at the Old Bailey last year for a total of 95 years for sex crimes against young girls.

The serious case review, which will look into how the girls were allowed to be groomed and trafficked, is due to be published by the end of the year.

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