Human trafficking

Summary

A request was made to the Cabinet Office for details regarding a human trafficking case involving 17 counts, including victim numbers, accommodation costs, and social security expenses. The Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold the requested information and directed the requester to the Treasury and the Isle of Man Constabulary.

Key Facts

• The Cabinet Office does not hold the information requested regarding the human trafficking case.
• Matters relating to Social Security and Immigration fall under the remit of the Treasury.
• The Isle of Man Constabulary may be able to assist with aspects of the request regarding the trafficking gang.
• The request references a report from Isle of Man Today dated 18 December 2025.
• The requester has the right to an internal review or appeal to the Information Commissioner if dissatisfied.

Data Disclosed

• 17 counts
• 3 people accused
• 2025-12-18
• 2025-12-29
• 2025-12-30
• 5197293

Original Request

It was reported on Isle of Man Today on the 18th December 2025, that three people had been accused of being part of a human trafficking gang on the Isle of Man and that the "three" face 17 counts of arranging human trafficking for the purpose of exploitation. Under section 9 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, I'm requesting the following information - 1. Do the 17 "counts" relate to 17 individual persons who were "trafficked"?; and 2. If so, were the 17 individual persons trafficked into the Isle of Man and did they arrive here?; and 3. Were the 17 individual persons provided with free accommodation in the Isle of Man?; and 4. If so, how much did it cost to accommodate the 17 individual persons in the Isle of Man?; and 5. Were any or all of the 17 individual persons provided with any form of living expenses?; and 6. If so, was this paid to them by way of social security benefits?; and 5. If so, how much in total did such benefits cost the Manx taxpayers?; and 6. When did the 17 individual persons arrive in the Isle of Man?; and 7. Are all or any of the individual persons still residing in the Isle of Man?; and 8. If so, how many of the 17 individual persons are still residing here?; and 9. If any or all of the 17 individual persons are still residing in the Isle of Man, what is their immigration status?; and 7. Have any or all of the 17 individuals been repatriated to the United Kingdom or to their home countries?; and 7. If so, were the costs of their repatriations funded by the Manx taxpayers?; and 8. If so, what was the total costs of their repatriations?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244
Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 5197293 30 December 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request received 29 December 2025, which states:

"It was reported on Isle of Man Today on the 18th December 2025, that three people had been accused of being part of a human trafficking gang on the Isle of Man and that the "three" face 17 counts of arranging human trafficking for the purpose of exploitation.

Under section 9 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, I'm requesting the following information -

1. Do the 17 "counts" relate to 17 individual persons who were "trafficked"?; and
2. If so, were the 17 individual persons trafficked into the Isle of Man and did they arrive here?; and
3. Were the 17 individual persons provided with free accommodation in the Isle of Man?; and
4. If so, how much did it cost to accommodate the 17 individual persons in the Isle of Man?; and
5. Were any or all of the 17 individual persons provided with any form of living expenses?; and
6. If so, was this paid to them by way of social security benefits?; and
7. If so, how much in total did such benefits cost the Manx taxpayers?; and
8. When did the 17 individual persons arrive in the Isle of Man?; and
9. Are all or any of the individual persons still residing in the Isle of Man?; and
10. If so, how many of the 17 individual persons are still residing here?; and
11. If any or all of the 17 individual persons are still residing in the Isle of Man, what is their immigration status?; and
12. Have any or all of the 17 individuals been repatriated to the United Kingdom or to their home countries?; and
13. If so, were the costs of their repatriations funded by the Manx taxpayers?; and
14. If so, what was the total costs of their repatriations?"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested.

However, you may wish to contact the Treasury who may be able to assist you, as matters relating to Social Security and Immigration fall under the Treasury’s remit.

Treasury can be contacted using the following contact details:

The Treasury Head Office 3rd Floor Government Office Bucks Road
Douglas IM1 3PZ

Email: admin.treasury@gov.im Telephone: 01624 685980

You may also wish to contact the Isle of Man Constabulary who may be able to assist you with the other aspects of your request

The Isle of Man Constabulary can be contacted using the following details:

Isle of Man Constabulary Police Headquarters Dukes Avenue Douglas Isle of Man IM2 4RG

Email: Police@gov.im Telephone: 01624 631212

Alternatively, you may wish to submit a Freedom of Information request to the above areas via the online portal here: https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom- of-information/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/

Please quote the reference number 5197293 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;

1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
   In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.