A MAN attacked with a machete is one of potentially hundreds of victims of modern slavery in Thames Valley, according to new figures.

Earlier this week, Thames Valley Police reported a Reading man had been jailed for enslaving a man in his forties in October 2020 and May 2021.

Romario Harding, of Birchwood Close, subjected his victim to enforced labour and then attacked him with a machete on May 5, 2021.

The 27-year-old was handed a six-year jail term and after his sentencing, TVP detective James Jackson said: “This is a great outcome for victims of these types of offences.”

READ MORE: Reading man jailed for exploiting man in his forties

However, new figures show there are potentially hundreds of modern slavery victims in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

And nearly half (204) of the 433 modern slavery referrals to Thames Valley Police involved child victims.

Where a form of exploitation was recorded, the figures show 64 referrals were linked to labour-related exploitation, 21 sexual and 113 criminal, such as "county lines" activity.

Overall, the number of referrals increased by 27 per cent, from 341 in 2020.

Across the UK, more than 12,000 potential victims were referred to police last year – up 20 per cent from 10,600 in 2020 and the highest number recorded since the Government's National Referral Mechanism was introduced in 2009.

READ MORE: Figures show modern slavery national picture

The National Police Chiefs' Council lead for modern slavery, Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, linked increased referrals nationally to greater awareness, understanding and reporting of the issue.

He said thousands of officers were trained to investigate the issue, adding that forces worked with national and local authorities and specialist organisations to support victims and bring offenders to justice.

But anti-slavery charity Unseen say the figures vastly underestimate the problem and called for more to be done to disrupt growing demand for the exploitative practice.

The charity's CEO Andrew Wallis said the impact of modern slavery – whether financial, sexual or criminal – can leave victims with life-long trauma, horrific physical injuries and a long journey to recovery.