Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that, at the end of March 2024, more than 1,200 Albanians were being held in prisons in England and Wales – more than any other foreign nationality.
Amy Bond, chief operating officer of the modern slavery charity Causeway, said: “The majority of people trapped in modern slavery are trapped in labour exploitation, so that’s things like cannabis farms.
“There has been a switch from Vietnamese gangs to Albanian.
“The gangs will bring people in to these environment and promise them a job.
“The victims then become involved in illegal labour and can’t exit because they’re fearful of their own prosecution.”
