THE number of children reported missing in Essex has more than doubled in the past four years, according to new statistics.
A Freedom of Information request to Essex Police reveals 2,372 children were reported missing last year, compared to 1,163 in 2008.
Andy McCullough, Head of Strategy and Policy at Railway Children, which supports vulnerable young people alone and at risk on Britain's streets and made the FOI request, said: "It is alarming to see that the numbers of children reported missing in Essex has risen so significantly year on year. "Of those who are reported missing, the majority are young people who have run away from home or care.
"Children run away for many reasons, usually to escape things they find stressful such as problems at school or home.
"However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Anecdotal research indicates that as many as two thirds of young people who run away from home are not even reported missing and may be too vulnerable and afraid to seek help from official services."
"In fact, we estimate that every five minutes in the UK a child under 16 runs away from home - that's 100,000 children every year - a far greater number."
Similar trends have also been noted in several other areas of the UK, including Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and Gloucestershire, with up to five times more Under 16s reported missing from home or care in 2011 than in 2008.
Mr McCullough added: "There is a clear need for UK society to collectively take responsibility to tackle this issue at its cause. I would urge all parents to talk to each other and their children about running away from home, to raise awareness of this alarming issue and its realities. We know this can often be difficult to do, so for guidance on how to broach this and other difficult issues with your children you can visit the information pages at http://www.mumsnet.com/runningaway."
A Freedom of Information request to Essex Police reveals 2,372 children were reported missing last year, compared to 1,163 in 2008.
Andy McCullough, Head of Strategy and Policy at Railway Children, which supports vulnerable young people alone and at risk on Britain's streets and made the FOI request, said: "It is alarming to see that the numbers of children reported missing in Essex has risen so significantly year on year. "Of those who are reported missing, the majority are young people who have run away from home or care.
"Children run away for many reasons, usually to escape things they find stressful such as problems at school or home.
"However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Anecdotal research indicates that as many as two thirds of young people who run away from home are not even reported missing and may be too vulnerable and afraid to seek help from official services."
"In fact, we estimate that every five minutes in the UK a child under 16 runs away from home - that's 100,000 children every year - a far greater number."
Similar trends have also been noted in several other areas of the UK, including Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and Gloucestershire, with up to five times more Under 16s reported missing from home or care in 2011 than in 2008.
Mr McCullough added: "There is a clear need for UK society to collectively take responsibility to tackle this issue at its cause. I would urge all parents to talk to each other and their children about running away from home, to raise awareness of this alarming issue and its realities. We know this can often be difficult to do, so for guidance on how to broach this and other difficult issues with your children you can visit the information pages at http://www.mumsnet.com/runningaway."