Forty children who were reported missing from asylum hotels in the UK during 2023 have still not been found, according to official figures released by the Home Office.
Figures from a Freedom of Information request
The data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Guardian, shows that a total of 120 children were reported missing from asylum hotels between January and December 2023. Of these, 80 have since been located or returned to accommodation, while the remaining 40 remain unaccounted for.
The Home Office said that each case is treated with the utmost seriousness and that local authorities, police and social services work together to safeguard children who go missing. The department added that it has introduced measures to improve the oversight of children in asylum accommodation, including regular welfare checks and the requirement for staff to report any concerns immediately.
Calls for greater transparency
Campaigners and children's charities have called for greater transparency and accountability in the handling of these cases. They argue that the continued absence of 40 children raises serious safeguarding questions and that more must be done to trace them and prevent future disappearances.
The Home Office has stated that it is committed to learning from each incident and to working with partners to ensure that all children in its care are safe and protected. The department also noted that the number of children going missing from asylum hotels has declined in recent months following the introduction of stricter monitoring procedures.
