SUSSEX Police have recruited a new manager to deal with modern slavery after 13 incidents were reported in 2017-18.

That is up from four the previous year.

Sussex Police is concerned that it is not sufficiently aware of the signs of this hidden crime.

So in an effort to to tackle the problem, the force has recruited what it calls a ‘modern slavery delivery manager.’

This shock figure was revealed in a report going before city councillors today.

The report also showed that violence and violent crime are both increasing across Brighton and Hove.

In 2017-18, 26,142 crimes were recorded by police in Brighton and Hove, a 1.4 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

The report says increases in domestic violence, sexual violence and hate crime are put down to better, more accurate reporting.

Officers solved 17 per cent of domestic violence offences.

The conviction rate for cases going to court remains relatively high at 77 per cent.

For sexual offences, 73 per cent of cases going to court resulted in a conviction

Incidents of anti-social behaviour have fallen by 1,942 in the last year.

A multi-agency working group is also focusing on the increasing problem of cuckooing, where drug dealers take over a vulnerable person’s home.

One victim whose home was taken over was taken over has been moved to supported accommodation elsewhere.

Councillors are being asked to support the partnership work and contribute to the management of crime and community safety priorities for the city.

Councillors will discuss the Community Safety and Crime Reduction Strategy 2017-20.

The meeting takes place in public at Hove Town Hall from 4pm today.

In January we reported that crime in Sussex has doubled in the past four years.

Figures released by national think tank UK Crimestats revealed the huge jump.