﻿ Spot The Traffik


Sense it. Spot it.

Signs Around Children

Count the signs. If you see one or more of these signs at a property consider making a referral to the appropriate organisation. Alongside these specific signs can you identify any signs that suggest movement, recruitment, deception, coercion or exploitation?

Child trafficking is child abuse. During the process of trafficking, children suffer from neglect, emotional abuse and physical and sexual abuse. A safeguarding response from professionals is required.

Children are trafficked into every scenario of trafficking that this online tool covers. They may also be trafficked for other forms of exploitation including forced marriage.

  • Witness it

  • Question it

Back up

Dig deeper


Does the child have a passport or genuine documentation that has been properly obtained? Missing, altered or false documentation is common. The child may claim that their details on the documentation are incorrect.


Does the child have money, expensive clothes, mobile phones or other possessions without plausible explanation?


Are there any signs of physical neglect? This may be basic care, malnourishment, lack of attention to health needs and possibly physical symptoms of exploitative abuse.


Is the child cared for or accompanied by an adult who may not be the legal guardian? They may insist on remaining with the child at all times.


Do they show physical indications of working? They might be overly tired in school or have backaches and worked hands from doing manual labour.


Are there adults loitering outside the child's usual place of residence or does the child have a significantly older boyfriend?


Is the guardian of the child not an appropriate adult? Not an immediate family member (parent / sibling) and cannot provide photographic ID for the child.


Does the child seem to be withdrawn and refuse to talk? They might be afraid to talk with people who have authority.


Can you see any evidence of drug, alcohol or substance misuse?


Is the child socially isolated with a lack of positive, meaningful relationships in their life? The quality of relationships they do have may not be good.

Fear & Anxiety

Does the child harbour excessive fears or anxieties? This may be about an individual, deportation or disclosing information.


If the child works, are they deprived of earnings? They may be in debt bondage or 'owe' money for travel costs to another person.


Does the child show any indications of psychological trauma or numbing?


Is there any evidence to suggest the child's journey or visa has been arranged by someone other than themselves or a family member?


Does the child claim to have been exploited through sexual exploitation, criminality, labour exploitation, domestic servitude, forced marriage, illegal adoption or drug dealing by another person?


Is the child among a number of unrelated children found at one address?


Is the child's story very similar to those given by others? This may be an indication that they have been coached.


Can the child confirm the name or address of the person they are meeting on arrival in the UK?

hover over boxes to reveal the signs

If a child or adult is in immediate danger call 999.

  • Police

    Share what you have identified with your local police force.

  • Victim Support

    Support, advice and services available for potential adult trafficking cases.

  • Children's Services


  • Immigration Support

    Advice for cases where the potential victim may need immigration support.

  • The Police


    Phone: 999

    Website: www.police.uk

    Local Police



    Phone: 101

    Metropolitan Police


    Phone: 0800 783 25 89

    Website: www.met.police.uk



    Phone: 0800 555 111

    Website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

    Salvation Army


    Phone: 0300 303 81 51

    E-mail: info@salvationarmy.org.uk

    Website: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/Trafficking

    Migrant Help


    Phone: 01304 203 977 or 07766 668 781

    E-mail: info@migranthelpuk.org

    Website: www.migranthelpuk.org



    Phone: 0141 276 77 24

    POPPY Project



    E-mail: post@eavesforwomen.org.uk




    Phone: 0207 243 2942

    E-mail: info@kalayaan.org.uk

    Website: www.kalayaan.org.uk

    Medaille Trust


    E-mail: enquiries@medaille-trust.org.uk

    Website: www.medaille.co.uk

    Unseen UK



    Website: www.unseenuk.org



    Phone: 0808 800 5000

    E-mail: help@nspcc.org.uk

    Website: www.nspcc.org.uk/ctac

    Children's Services










    Phone: 0207 233 9887

    E-mail: info@ecpat.org.uk

    Website: www.ecpat.org.uk

    Anti Trafficking Legal Project


    E-mail: www.atlep.org.uk/contact

    Website: www.atlep.org.uk

    AIRE Centre


    Phone: 0207 831 4276

    E-mail: info@airecentre.org

    Website: www.airecentre.org

    Migrant's Rights Network

    Organisation working and campaigning in support of migrants in the UK.

    Phone: 0207 336 9412

    E-mail: info@migrantsrights.org.uk

    Website: www.migrantsrights.org.uk