Barnet's strategy to combat modern slavery is placing a strong emphasis on prevention, aiming to identify and mitigate risks before exploitation occurs. The strategy, published in July 2024, focuses on three key pillars: Prevent, Protect, and Prosecute.
During a Safer Communities Partnership Board meeting on Friday, March 13, 2026, Ramisa Yazdani Biouki provided an update on the strategy's progress. She highlighted the creation of a referral pathway to increase reporting and awareness of modern slavery within the borough. Barnet has also published its Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement for 2026-27, with plans for internal staff training and the adoption of best practices from guidance issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The statement for 2026-27 aims to ensure that our staff and our processes and policies are all robust as much as possible.
It reiterates the strategy's focus on Prevent, Protect, and Prosecute
and the creation of a referral pathway to increase reporting and awareness.
For the year 2024-25, Barnet recorded a total of 142 cases of modern slavery. Of these, 50 were female and 92 were male, with the highest concentration in the 11-17 age group (68 cases). Compared to neighboring boroughs, Brent saw 175 cases and Harrow had 82 cases.
Middlesex University and the Home Office are offering training opportunities to further enhance understanding and response to modern slavery. The council aims to strengthen its workstreams, improve awareness, and increase visibility of this issue. These collaborations are expected to continue to work with our partners on reducing the numbers of modern slavery but also ensuring that we are as aware and as possible on victims that we experience within the borough.
Councillor Sara Conway, Chair of the Safer Communities Partnership Board, welcomed the update, noting the importance of integrating modern slavery concerns into adult safeguarding strategies and acknowledging the collaborative efforts with partners. The Barnet Safeguarding Adults Board's draft Strategic Plan 2026-29 includes reference to modern day slavery
under its Prevention
theme. Specifically, it aims to Develop arrangements to ensure the exploitation of adults with care and support needs is understood, including risks relating to AI and Modern Day Slavery.
The plan also mentions Strengthen interfaces with other Partnerships and Board and work collaboratively on shared issues of abuse and neglect,
which would include modern slavery.
The strategy's focus on prevention is seen as crucial in reducing the incidence of modern slavery and ensuring victims are adequately protected and supported.
