The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Sharp rise in youngsters who go missing in Tayside and Fife
Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale calls for inquiry to find why numbers are so high
The number of children growing up in care who are reported missing in Tayside and Fife has risen sharply in the last year.
Around 20 of the children are reported missing every day in Scotland, according to new figures.
Police Scotland data shows there were 7,598 missing persons investigations relating to looked-after children in 20118, up 5% from 7,243 in the previous year.
The majority of cases (85%) involved children missing from a young persons’ residential unit.
In Tayside, 716 such children went missing last year, 510 from a residential unit. In Fife, the figure was 708, with 530 from a unit.
The police division with the highest number of investigations (1,217) was Lanarkshire, followed by the Lothians and Scottish Borders, excluding Edinburgh, (893).
The figures were obtained by Kezia Dugdale, Scottish Labour MSP for Edinburgh and the Lothians, using freedom of information legislation.
She said: “These figures are simply staggering and they should concern everyone.
“Looked-after children are our children – the state is their parents – and we all have a responsibility to give them the same opportunities as every other youngster.
“If your child was missing, you’d move heaven and earth to find them and then ask why and what could be done differently.
“These are our children and they should expect that same response.
“Residential units must be a place where children are nurtured and loved, as they are often brought up there after years or emotional or physical abuse.
“I urge the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to investigate why these numbers are so high and examine what more can be done to support careexperienced young people.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Young people are by far the most common age-group to go missing (64%) and we are working with Police Scotland, local authorities and care providers to reduce these incidences.
“We have already provided £142,000 to Missing People charity (2016-19) to increase awareness and use of their support services including their 24 hour helpline, textsafe facility and telephone counselling service.
“Police Scotland pilot projects with looked after children have shown that better outcomes can be achieved when the young person is involved in their care plan.
“This allows the young person to feel greater ownership and understanding of why an action they may take will result in the care provider or parent taking subsequent decisions, such as reporting them missing.”
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: “We are absolutely committed to tracing those who have been reported missing and our officers and staff work tirelessly in every case to achieve a positive outcome for families.
“Most reports are about missing children. Happily, most return or are found quickly.
“Our response to missing people reports is evolving based on our data. Prevention is key to managing the scale of missing person reports and to protecting people who may be vulnerable.
“We work closely with partner organisations to protect those most at risk of going missing and prevent missing person episodes wherever possible.”
“These figures are simply staggering and they should concern everyone
The former leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Kezia Dugdale, is correct to brand the number of cared-for youngsters involved in missing person inquiries as “staggering”.
More than 7,500 investigations were mounted in the year 2017-18 — a rise of 5% on the year before.
In Tayside and Fife, the figures are particularly worrying, rising at a far higher rate than the national average.
Even more concerning is the fact the majority of cases involved children who have gone missing from young persons’ residential units. There are no easy solutions.
Many of the investigations centre on a small group of individuals, some of the most vulnerable youngsters in our society, who are not easy to keep safe.
The worsening condition of adolescent mental health suggests it will be a growing issue.
Ms Dugdale has called for the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to investigate why the numbers are so high. She is right to do so and should be heeded. It is not a political issue and she is not attacking those involved in complex and testing care-giving roles. But if an investigation can uncover any systemic flaws, resolve them, and create a better environment for these young people, it must be pursued.
Recent, tragic cases have shown work is required if a real difference is to be made to those youngsters who so desperately need extra help.