New figures from anti-slavery charity Unseen have revealed a “huge increase” in potential victims in the care sector.

The findings from the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline show 708 potential victims in 2022 (1,024% increase on 2021).

The care sector had the second highest number of labour exploitation cases and potential victims in 2022 behind the services sector. There was a 606% rise in cases in the year to 106 from 15 in 2021.

Social care ranked third for labour abuse, behind services and hospitality, with 46 cases and 161 potential victims in 2022.

Justine Carter, director of Unseen and co-author of its Annual Assessment, said: “Every call we get is one too many as slavery should not exist today. However, it’s encouraging that more people are contacting us so that we can help them out of a life of misery. “

“There are around 100,000 people in the UK in modern slavery, so these figures are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s still a lot we can and must do to prevent vulnerable people from falling prey to callous exploiters.”

Six people were arrested as part of a Home Office investigation into illegal working in the care industry in March.

The men and women from Botswana and Zimbabwe were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences at properties in Alma Road, Southampton on 1 March.

In February, five people suspected of recruiting and exploiting Indian students working in care homes in North Wales were handed Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders (STRO).

An investigation by The Observer in June 2022 found some overseas workers were being charged thousands of pounds in illegal fees by agencies supplying carers to homes and home care agencies, while working to pay off their debts under exploitative conditions.