A total of 30 potential victims of modern slavery and trafficking in Tower Hamlets were referred to authorities last year – more than any other London local authority.
The National Crime Agency said UK nationals made up the highest number of cases for the first time nationwide, followed by Albanians and people from Vietnam.
NCA data show 252 potential victims in London were flagged to the National Referral Mechanism, 93 per cent of whom (235) were children.
The borough led Croydon (28 potential victims), Newham (24) and Lambeth (21) as the capital’s hotspot for cases.
Nationally, the number of minors reported to the NRM rose by two thirds from last year.
The agency said the increase was due to “increased awareness” and growing drugs supply routes, or “county lines”.
Here, gangs based in cities use young people as couriers to move products to rural areas.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here