Some families just ‘disappeared’, a social worker said (Picture: Getty)
Ukrainians who fled war in their homeland and sought refuge in the UK were granted sanctuary with suspected ‘gangsters’, it’s been revealed.
Under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, vulnerable refugees were placed in homes with links to organised crime.
In a damning report, The Independent said one council worker said in the ‘worst cases’, Ukrainian families in these homes ‘just disappeared’.
Others were forced to work for their hosts, charged rent, and in one harrowing instance, a couple with a young child were sent to live with a convicted paedophile.
Maris Stratulis, England national director at the British Association of Social Workers, said: ‘For some individuals and families, this scheme has literally been a lifeline and a safe and positive experience.
‘For others, fleeing to “perceived” safety has not been a reality – their human rights and needs have not been protected.’
Some families were paired with homes who had suspected links to organised crime (Picture: Getty)
Welcome hubs were set up in major train stations to greet refugees (Picture: Getty)
Thousands of Ukrainian refugees have resettled in the UK (Picture: AFP)
The Labour Party has since called for a ‘full investigation’, with Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones, the shadow safeguarding minister, saying serious concerns about the safeguarding and the screening of hosts have been brought to light.
Eleanor Lyons, the independent anti-slavery commissioner, said: ‘We know traffickers often target vulnerable people, so we must do all we can to support displaced Ukrainians and prevent them from becoming vulnerable to exploitation.’
Croydon, Nottinghamshire, Sheffield City and Suffolk County Councils all received alerts from the Home Office about sponsors’ connections to serious and organised crime. The arrangements were ‘discontinued’ swiftly, they said.
One interviewee added: ‘We’ve heard cases where entire families have been hosted and the host has been making efforts to isolate the young female from the rest of the family.’
A government spokesperson said: ‘Keeping sponsors and guests safe is a priority for the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
‘All sponsors and all adults living in a sponsor’s household are subject to stringent checks before they are allowed to host a Ukrainian refugee, and we would urge local councils to contact the police if they suspect any exploitation.’
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