Senior Metropolitan Police officers briefed an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) in July, stating that a review conducted earlier this year identified 70 survivors' accounts with hallmarks of trafficking. This suggests the number of confirmed cases could increase, according to Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain, co-chair of the APPG.
Last month, the Home Office confirmed that at least five survivors were victims of international and domestic trafficking. However, the Met Police has paused further referrals to the Home Office for victims living abroad, as these have been rejected. The Met stated that its support for victims continues regardless of their location.
Some women were allegedly trafficked from Harrods to Fayed's private offices and residence in Park Lane, while others were reportedly taken out of the UK and abused overseas, police officers leading Operation Cornpoppy told the APPG. Survivors' groups indicate that over 500 women have come forward with abuse allegations, with the Met investigating 165 direct contacts.
The independent anti-slavery commissioner, Eleanor Lyons, noted that the Home Office's statutory guidance requires individuals to be in the UK for referral to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Lyons has called on the Home Office to reconsider this requirement, citing distress among alleged survivors living abroad who seek recognition as trafficking victims.