An investigation by the Observer into the scale of trafficking of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children found that dozens of under-18s have “vanished” from a Sussex hotel after being “literally picked up from outside the building” by traffickers.
More than half the 136 children reported missing from the hotel over the past 18 months remain unaccounted for, according to the investigation, and a similar pattern of missing migrant children is emerging across the south coast.
Anne Longfield, the chair of the Commission on Young Lives, tweeted: “This should be a national emergency…79 of these children are currently missing.”
Speaking about where the responsibility lies to protect migrant children in Home Office accommodation, the former children’s commissioner for England, said: ‘It’s firmly on the Home Office’s desk.”
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
