The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fears for children reported missing
RISK: Youngsters who disappear are among ‘most vulnerable’
More than two children a day were reported missing in Fife last month.
Police were called out 79 times in April to search for vulnerable under 16s, many of them living in care and with a number of complex needs.
Between April 1 and May 22, officers in the region carried out 231 missing person investigations, 130 of which involved children.
The shock number is said to be putting demand on resources and placing youngsters at risk of sexual exploitation and criminal activity.
A new working group has been looking to identify those at risk of going missing and put in support to prevent it.
Detective Chief Inspector John Anderson said: “Many of the children who go missing are amongst the most vulnerable and the reasons for them going missing are varied and complex.”
Police in Fife carried out 231 missing persons investigations in just seven weeks, half of them involving children.
Officers were called out 130 times between April 1 and May 22 to search for vulnerable under-16s, who made up 56% of the total missing person reports.
In April alone 79 children were reported missing, placing significant demand on resources.
Police said many of those who go missing are in care and disappear more than once, putting them at risk of child sexual exploitation, criminal behaviour and harm to their long-term wellbeing.
A multi-agency group was launched six months ago aimed at reducing the number of people reported missing.
The team, involving police, council education and social work staff, NHS Fife, private care establishments and the voluntary sector, provide support to missing youngsters and their families in a bid to prevent future episodes.
Ahead of International Missing Children’s Day today, members of the Missing Person Working Group said the approach appeared to be working.
This month has seen a 12% reduction in missing person reports compared to May last year, although it has yet to be established if the figure is a one off or part of a longer term trend.
Detective Chief Inspector John Anderson said: “Working together we recognise the importance of a joint approach to missing people in order to minimise the risk to these vulnerable groups.
“More importantly, however, it’s about encouraging people not to go missing in the first instance by highlighting the associated risks and signposting them to all the relevant support and help they may require.
“The ongoing work by our agencies is intended to identify ways in which we can work together to protect these children, identify preventative measures and ensure relevant support is in place.”
Carrie Lindsay, council executive director of children’s services, said the team was trying to build the resilience of children for whom fairly normal situations could tip them over the edge.
“When we have repeat offenders we look to see what the stressors might have been and what could be put in place in the future to help them deal with that,” she said.
Working together we recognise the importance of a joint approach to missing people in order to minimise the risk to these vulnerable groups