Children at risk of having their organs harvested are fleeing to the UK to escape criminal gangs, The Telegraph can reveal.

Lungs, kidneys, livers, hearts and corneas are among the most sought-after organs and are sold on the black market around the world for thousands-of-pounds. Victims are often political prisoners or vulnerable, poor people.

Almost 20 children and adults have been reported to UK authorities in recent years. Last year saw a record number of suspected victims claiming that they had been subjected to one of the most gruesome and harrowing forms of human trafficking and modern slavery.

The disturbing revelation comes as an Independent Tribunal is expected to publish its much-anticipated judgement into forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience in China today.

Analysis of National Crime Agency (NCA) data reveals that in 2018, four children and two adults were among those who were flagged to authorities, having claimed that they were under threat of being killed for their organs.