Crime chiefs said freedom of movement was ‘definitely a factor’ behind slavery gangs in Britain

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has blamed freedom of movement in the EU for a rise in human trafficking and modern slavery in Britain.

Will Kerr, an NCA director, said the ability of EU citizens to move freely around the continent was “definitely a factor” in the number of slavery gangs operating in every large town and city.

He said: “Where you can move more freely . . . there will be gangs who will look to get involved in that process.”

The scale of modern slavery was exposed last week when Kerr said police were running more than 300 investigations into networks forcing tens of thousands into labour and prostitution.