00:00These survivors have received positive conclusive grounds decisions from the National Referral Mechanism, the UK's official framework for identifying victims
00:10of modern slavery, including human trafficking, forced labour and servitude.
00:14The reporting framework allows victims to receive the right support and provides the government with vital data about modern slavery
00:22in the UK. Statutory first responders, including the police, Border Force, the National Crime Agency and local authorities, must refer
00:32to the National Referral Mechanism all children and consenting adults. They have reasonable grounds to believe may be a victim
00:40of modern slavery.
00:41The survivors believe the Met did not offer referrals to anyone who came forward about Al-Fayed until April 2026.
00:50It is, however, understood the Met believes there is no automatic requirements for them to submit a referral for offences
00:57that occurred prior to the implementation of the National Referral Mechanism in April 2009.
01:03However, the Home Office views the historical nature of the alleged exploitation as irrelevant for notification and referral purposes.
01:12The Met are investigating at least 156 victims who contacted them directly, including 21 who came forward before Al-Fayed's
01:22death in 2023 at the age of 94.
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