A CHILD was among the victims of modern slavery in Dorset last year.

Police were called to several reports of potential victims of trafficking in the county in 2017.

Two Romanian men and one Vietnamese man were made to carry out forced labour in the county. A Vietnamese child was also forced into work.

Two Chinese women and a woman from the UK were sexually exploited.

The figures were revealed by the National Crime Agency as part of a yearly round-up.

Those who fall victim to modern slavery are often made to work, sexually exploited or forced into early marriages.

As reported in the Daily Echo, campaigners have warned that rough sleepers are particularly vulnerable to trafficking.

A homeless man picked up from Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth and offered employment was forced to work at a site in Bedfordshire for 18 months.

Detective Inspector Gavin House of Dorset Police's public protection unit said the man had attended a soup kitchen at St Peter's Church before he was approached.

"One man with alcohol issues was picked up by a traveller family in Old Christchurch Road by the church," DI House said.

"He was approached by a chap in a Range Rover and told he'd get £200 a week, food and somewhere to live.

"The reality was that he ended up in a caravan on a traveller site in Bedfordshire.

"He never got a penny and was beaten daily."

The site was only discovered after a dead body was found in a field, it was said.

British people are among the most likely to be trafficked. However, victims are also likely to come from Albania, Vietnam, Nigeria, China, Poland or Romania.

Representatives from BCHA's liberty project said those targeted might be drug addicts or alcoholics, as disappearances may not be immediately noted.

Police have now urged members of the public to "speak out against abuse and exploitation".

A spokesperson said: "There is no typical victim of slavery – victims can be men, women and children of all ages, ethnicities and nationalities and cut across the population.

"But it is normally more prevalent amongst the most vulnerable, and within minority or socially excluded groups."

Victims may be isolated, show signs or physical or psychological abuse, or appear malnourished or unkempt. They may have few personal effects, including identification documents, and restricted freedom of movement.

Anyone concerned about the welfare of a person sleeping rough in Bournemouth should contact Streetlink via streetlink.org.uk

To speak to police with concerns, call 101 or visit dorset.police.uk