Forced Street Begging and Criminal Exploitation. What Safeguarding Professionals in Cities Should Know

In urban areas, forced street begging and criminal exploitation are complex forms of modern slavery that often go undetected. These exploitative practices involve vulnerable individuals who are coerced into begging or other criminal activities by exploiters who maintain control through intimidation, financial manipulation, or threats of violence. For safeguarding professionals, understanding the nuances of forced street begging and criminal exploitation is essential to intervene effectively, support victims, and ultimately disrupt these cycles of abuse.

Forced street begging is a form of exploitation in which individuals are coerced into begging under strict supervision from an exploiter who often takes their earnings and restricts their freedom. Criminal exploitation extends beyond begging and can include coercion into theft, drug trafficking, or other illicit activities, particularly within urban settings. Victims are often trafficked from other countries or rural areas, with limited awareness of their rights or options for support. Many face language barriers, unfamiliar legal systems, and deep-seated fear of authorities, which can prevent them from coming forward for help.

Urban settings provide an environment where forced street begging and criminal exploitation can operate with some level of concealment. Busy streets, crowded city centres, and diverse populations make detection challenging, with perpetrators using these factors to their advantage. Forced begging and criminal exploitation are rarely overt, as victims are often strategically placed near transport hubs or tourist attractions where they remain anonymous among the crowds. Exploiters typically exert tight control over their victims, arranging specific schedules and locations for begging or criminal activities, while remaining out of sight to avoid detection by authorities.

For safeguarding professionals, recognising victims can be challenging. Victims may display avoidance behaviours, such as avoiding eye contact, speaking minimally, or showing visible signs of distress when approached. They might show signs of physical abuse, neglect, or malnutrition, which could indicate mistreatment by their exploiters. Another common sign of forced street begging is the presence of an individual who appears to manage or monitor a person’s movements. This individual may periodically check on the victim, retrieve their earnings, or even forcibly remove them if questioned by the public or authorities. Professionals should also watch for individuals exhibiting unusual dependence on a single person who seems to control their access to resources, freedom of movement, and communication.

Legal intervention in cases of forced begging can be difficult without clear evidence of coercion, which traffickers are skilled at concealing. Urban safeguarding teams face further obstacles such as limited resources, transient populations, and legal ambiguity around forced begging and criminal exploitation. Victims are often reluctant to engage with law enforcement due to previous negative experiences or fear of deportation.

Traffickers frequently move victims of forced begging between different urban areas to keep them invisible to locals and avoid detection by authorities. By relocating individuals every few days or weeks, traffickers ensure that no one becomes familiar with the victims, preventing patterns from forming that might alert community members or law enforcement to signs of exploitation. This transient approach allows traffickers to blend victims into new city environments where they appear anonymous and unfamiliar, reducing the risk of intervention. The continuous movement also reinforces the traffickers’ control over victims, creating an unstable and isolating experience that makes it difficult for individuals to build connections, seek help, or escape. In cities with well-connected transport systems, such as London, traffickers can readily transport victims between boroughs or neighbouring cities, making exploitation harder to track and dismantle.

In addressing these challenges, safeguarding professionals can adopt proactive approaches to improve victim identification and build trust within vulnerable communities. One essential step is collaborating with local organisations such as anti-trafficking charities, outreach teams, and community services to share knowledge, resources, and data. By working together, professionals can build a network of support that includes shared intelligence and coordinated efforts to identify victims in high-risk urban areas. Public awareness campaigns can also play a valuable role, as educated communities are more likely to recognise and report suspicious activities. Safeguarding professionals should aim to raise awareness among the general public about the signs of forced begging and exploitation, encouraging them to report concerns anonymously if necessary.

Engaging multi-agency safeguarding hubs (MASH) can also enhance response efforts. By bringing together representatives from police, social services, housing, and immigration, these hubs allow for a more comprehensive approach to tackling exploitation. Regular communication between agencies enables information-sharing and ensures that any suspected cases are investigated promptly. For frontline staff, safeguarding training is essential. This training should focus on identifying the nuanced signs of criminal exploitation, empowering staff across healthcare, housing, and local services to respond effectively.

Once a potential victim has been identified, safeguarding professionals can utilise the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the UK’s framework for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery. When a victim enters the NRM, they are given access to tailored support services, including safe accommodation, healthcare, legal aid, and counselling. Submitting an NRM referral not only provides victims with vital support but also contributes to a clearer national picture of trafficking trends, enabling agencies to deploy resources where they are most needed. However, it’s important to note that consent is required from adult victims before submitting an NRM referral, which can sometimes be a challenge due to the fear and mistrust many victims feel. Building trust is key; outreach teams and safeguarding professionals should engage with victims through a compassionate and trauma-informed approach, offering discreet information about support services and providing reassurance about the confidentiality and purpose of the NRM.

If there are delays in entering the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), local authorities can take several measures to provide immediate care for potential victims of forced begging and exploitation. They can offer temporary safe accommodation, such as emergency shelters or local housing provisions, to ensure that individuals have a secure environment free from the control of traffickers. Authorities should prioritise access to healthcare, including mental health support and addiction services if needed, as many victims may have endured physical abuse, neglect, or substance dependency due to their exploitation. Providing legal guidance and connecting individuals to trained advocates can also be beneficial, offering them a sense of security and an understanding of their rights while they await official NRM support. Community-based organisations and charities experienced in anti-trafficking support can partner with local authorities to deliver essential services, such as meals, clothing, and emotional support, ensuring that victims are not left vulnerable or isolated during the transition period. These interventions can not only stabilise victims but also build trust, making it easier to engage them in the NRM process when it becomes available.

In addition to using the NRM, safeguarding professionals can work with outreach teams who engage directly with vulnerable individuals on the streets. Through outreach, professionals have an opportunity to offer initial support and gather information that may lead to further interventions. Outreach services can help establish rapport with individuals who may otherwise be isolated, providing an important gateway for support and a potential lifeline for those enduring forced street begging.

Forced street begging and criminal exploitation are serious safeguarding concerns, especially in urban areas where anonymity and high foot traffic make these practices easier to conceal. Safeguarding professionals have a critical role to play in identifying victims and using resources like the NRM to facilitate support and recovery. Through collaborative efforts, public education, and proactive outreach, we can create an environment where forced begging and exploitation have no place.