Child sex abuse fears as 10,000 reported missing while in care

MORE than 10,000 children in care went missing last year amid evidence some of them are groomed by paedophiles and exploited by drug gangs.

Figures from the Department for Education show that the authorities lost track of one in 10 children in care during 2017, with some going missing for more than a month.

There were 60,720 incidents of a child going missing last year, meaning that each child in care who disappeared did so an average of six times in a year. There are growing concerns that some children are being drawn into crime or abused in the wake of scandals in Rotherham, Telford and Rochdale.

Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner, said: “Every time a vulnerable child goes missing they are in danger and I am extremely concerned by these statistics. It is very concerning that one in 10 children in care went missing last year when there is growing evidence that criminals are targeting and grooming children in care.

“It is vital that schools and care workers are able to recognise the signs that a child is about to go missing and that they provide support and take action when it does happen.”

The figures show that most children who go missing are aged between 10 and 15, and half the incidents involve children’s homes. While many go missing for a day or two, on 1,720 occasions children disappeared for more than a week.

Sarah Champion, the Labour MP for Rotherham, said the scale was “truly shocking”. She said: “These children are under the guardianship of the state. The Government should be ashamed that it is failing them. Parents agree to the placement because they believe their children will be safe. This data proves that assumption is wrong.

“Children going missing is a key indicator of sexual exploitation, so needs to be taken seriously.”

Since the Eighties, Rotherham has had about 1,400 cases of child exploitation with 24 people sentenced since 2015. Theresa May held an inquiry into sexual abuse when she was home secretary, vowing to end the “culture of inaction and denial” around child exploitation.

The NSPCC said the statistics were “deeply concerning” and emphasised the need for “strong relationships and information-sharing between children’s services and the police” to stop children going missing.

A Government spokesman said: “Tackling child sexual abuse is a Government priority.

“We have provided a £40 million package of measures to protect children and young people from sexual abuse, including strengthened law enforcement capacity and capability.”