The importance of multi-agency collaborations during human trafficking criminal investigations

Figures & data

Table 1. Categories of Support and Individual Constructs.

Category	Constructs
Working with victims	Provide accommodation for victims of trafficking Secure/provide victim support (e.g. Secure victims’ basic needs) Setting up and running reception centres Provide NRM support Safeguarding plans Advice and counselling to victims Get (and maintain) victims’ engagement
Obtaining information about premises and companies	Information about properties (e.g. house of multi-occupancy, electricity, tenant/owners, living conditions, etc.) Information about businesses/companies (e.g. working conditions, supply chain, etc.) Information about recruitment agencies Information about location/addresses Map and plans of the premises
Obtaining information about individuals	Information about victims Information about offenders Education history Employment/work history Medical record Documentation (identification of individuals/immigration checks)
Building the criminal intelligence picture	Information about OCG and how it operates Financial information/financial investigations (e.g. money laundering, tax evasion, benefit fraud, information about bank accounts, taxes, National Minimum Wage (NMW), payments, National insurance number) Information about other offences (e.g. identity fraud, immigration offences) Information on the case Get/corroborate intelligence with other law enforcement databases People movements
Planning and assisting police operations/strategies	Assist on the day of action Assist on the planning for police operations Support and assistance with surveillance and covert strategies Provide extra resources (e.g. staff, money, etc.) Interception/arrest individuals Advice conducting investigative strategies and gathering evidence International collaboration Powers to enter and inspect premises (throughout licensing, safe and safety regulation, etc.) Powers to close premises (throughout licensing, safe and safety regulation, etc.) Disruption options and opportunities Enforcement powers (e.g. licensing, NMW) Leading investigations under their remedies Language support

Table 2. Descriptive Analysis of the Categories of Support.

Category	N° of constructs per category	% of the total number of constructs mentioned (n/N)	N° of participants mentioning at least one construct of the category	Mean number of constructs mentioned by the participants for each category	Min-max constructs mentioned by participants for category
Working with victims	7	23.60% (114/483)	28/28	4.07 (SD = 2.18)	1–8
Obtaining information about premises and companies	6	10.14% (49/483)	22/28	1.75 (SD = 1.43)	0–5
Obtaining information about individuals	6	17.60% (85/483)	27/28	3.05 (SD = 1.40)	0–6
Building the criminal intelligence picture	7	18.84% (91/483)	28/28	3.25 (SD = 2.41)	1–10
Plan and assist police operations/strategies	13	29.81% (144/483)	28/28	5.14 (SD = 2.59)	1–12

Figure 1. Descriptive Analysis for Agencies. Note: See Appendix 1 for explanation of the following organisations: HMRC, Local authorities, GLAA, Immigration Enforcement, NCA, DWP, Health services, HSE, ROCU, Border force, GAIN and CPS.

Figure 2. Median Grid Showing Participants’ Views on the Capability of each Agency to Provide each Type of Support. Note: Rate on an ascending five-point scale (where 1 = not at all capable, and 5 = fully capable).

Figure 3. PrinGrid Analysis Showing Relationships Between and Among Elements and Constructs.

Figure 4. Focus Cluster Analysis Identifying Associations Between both Elements and Constructs. Note: Numbers 60–100 represent the percentage of resemblance between constructs (i.e. types of support) and between elements (i.e. agencies).