Mark Whitehead 26 April 2023

Parents reluctant to report missing children, report finds

Parents reluctant to report missing children, report finds image
Image: Jozef Sowa / Shutterstock.com.

Low trust and confidence in the Metropolitan police is making some parents and carers reluctant to report children missing, according to a report from the London Assembly.

Its police and crime committee says that instead, some parents are deciding to search for their children themselves.

The report says every incident of a missing child requires a full safeguarding response, but the committee’s investigation has found that this is ‘not always being delivered’.

In the last year more than 9,000 children went missing in London, many more than once, resulting in 29,455 missing incidents recorded by the police.

The committee recommends London Mayor Sadiq Khan to carry out a review of the experiences of parents, carers and staff in reporting children missing and draw up a new strategy.

It says City Hall should be declared a safe haven for all children who feel at risk, threatened or in danger.

The committee’s chairman Susan Hall said: ‘The issue of missing children is all our responsibility.

‘We hope that the recommendations in our report are taken forward to better prevent children from going missing and find and protect those that do.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner