YORK’S response to modern slavery is failing in some important areas, a new study has claimed.

Research was carried out by the University of York Students Union Anti-Trafficking Society to look at how the city has progressed three years after the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act, in particular to the role of businesses in the city.

The report highlighted some cases of modern slavery in York and North Yorkshire, but said there were no places of safety in York or North Yorkshire for victims of slavery and that local public bodies need to address this.

It also called for more help encouraging victims to come forward, and acknowledged: “It is certainly difficult to achieve prosecutions and they may take time to be brought to court, often because victims are too afraid to give evidence against those exploiting them. This highlights the need for adequate support for victims.”

The report also looked at the number of businesses which publish a modern slavery statement (MSS), on their website - a requirement of all businesses in the UK with annual turnover of £36 million or more, since the introduction of the Act.

A team identified local companies which would be required to publish an MSS, and found 64 per cent of which had done so. However, many had not been updated annually - as required.

In conclusion, the report said: “The picture in York is mixed with, on the positive side, City of York Council and some health and public sector bodies acting ahead of a requirement to do so, and on the negative side, the picture in the private sector no better than nationally and in relation to locally-headquartered companies, clearly worse.”