PART 5Protection of victims

I152Duty to notify Secretary of State about suspected victims of slavery or human trafficking

1

If a public authority to which this section applies has reasonable grounds to believe that a person may be a victim of slavery or human trafficking it must notify—

a

the Secretary of State, or

b

if regulations made by the Secretary of State require it to notify a public authority other than the Secretary of State, that public authority.

2

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the information to be included in a notification.

3

Regulations under subsection (2) must provide that a notification relating to a person aged 18 or over may not include information that—

a

identifies the person, or

b

enables the person to be identified (either by itself or in combination with other information),

unless the person consents to the inclusion of the information.

4

Regulations under subsection (2)—

a

may provide that a public authority which includes information in a notification in accordance with the regulations does not breach any obligation of confidence owed by the public authority in relation to that information;

b

may not require or authorise the inclusion of information which contravenes any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

5

This section applies to—

a

a chief officer of police for a police area,

b

the chief constable of the British Transport Police Force,

c

the National Crime Agency,

d

a county council,

e

a county borough council,

f

a district council,

g

a London borough council,

h

the Greater London Authority,

i

the Common Council of the City of London,

j

the Council of the Isles of Scilly,

k

the F1Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

6

The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsection (5) so as to—

a

add or remove a public authority;

b

amend the entry for a public authority.