UK police adopt digital tool to boost sex‑trafficking investigations

A new digital system called the Sexual Trafficking Identification Matrix (STIM), created by the University of Sheffield and partners, is being used by 16 UK police forces. Thames Valley Police reported that STIM helped launch five active investigations, prompted more than 40 visits to suspected trafficking sites and led to dozens of individuals being safeguarded. The tool analyses language and imagery in online adult‑service adverts to flag high‑risk listings, reducing the need for officers to manually review thousands of ads. Critics warn that the system could incorrectly label consensual sex workers as victims, potentially exposing them to police scrutiny.

In parallel, the Council of Europe’s anti‑trafficking expert group GRETA published a report highlighting persistent barriers for victims in the UK, including lack of legal assistance during the identification process and insufficient free legal aid before compensation claims. GRETA noted ongoing prosecutions of trafficking victims despite revised non‑punishment guidance and called for better training of law‑enforcement and legal professionals. The Independent Anti‑Slavery Commissioner, Eleanor Lyons, warned that the UK’s response to modern slavery is “no longer sufficient”, citing a record 23,411 referrals to the National Referral Mechanism in 2025 – a 22 % increase on the previous year – and a 54 % rise in sexual exploitation of British girls. The report also warned that technologies such as AI, cryptocurrencies and online platforms are accelerating and obscuring exploitation, while British nationals now constitute the largest share of victims.