William Eichler 05 February 2016

Number of missing children at risk of sexual exploitation doubled in a year, West Yorkshire police say

The majority of missing children flagged as at risk from sexual exploitation in West Yorkshire were girls in local authority care, The Yorkshire Post has revealed.

Figures obtained by the newspaper through a Freedom of Information request reveal that in the first eight months of 2015/16, there were 585 such cases - a rate of more than two reports every day.

They also show that between April and November last year, 1,047 reports of children missing from local authority care or family homes were ‘flagged’ as carrying a risk of sexual exploitation by West Yorkshire Police.

This is up from 408 for the entire 2013/14 financial year and is the result of a change in the way the police record missing persons cases.

West Yorkshire Det Supt Darren Minton explained to The Yorkshire Post:

‘Since June 2014, we have changed our recording practices so that even when a missing person has been located within a short period of time, an occurrence is still created on our systems which helps us in identifying repeat missing people.

‘This, and an increased awareness of child sexual exploitation both within the police, partners agencies and the wider public has contributed to an increased number of children being recorded as missing from home.’

The figures for 2014/15 showed the highest number of reports of missing girls in West Yorkshire at risk was in Leeds (279), with 167 of those missing from care.

'Here in Leeds we take a child going missing from care very seriously and we have robust arrangements in place to locate and safeguard children who are classed as missing or absent from their placement,’ Nigel Richardson, Leeds City Council’s director of children’s services, told the newspaper.

‘We work closely with the police and other agencies to share information regarding children who are reported and recorded as missing to ensure that the welfare of the child is safeguarded and to identify any patterns.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner