WHERE ARE THE MISSING CHILDREN The Children’s Society estimates that up to 100,000 children and young people go missing or run away each year.
In London alone, 9,370 children went missing in 2022–23, resulting in 29,455 separate incidents, many involving repeat cases.
Approximately 75,000 to 100,000 children and young people go missing or run away from home in the UK each year, according to various sources including Missing People, The Children’s Society, and the National Crime Agency.
Missing People reports that nearly 75,000 children and young people go missing annually.
The Children’s Society estimates that up to 100,000 children and young people go missing or run away each year.
In London alone, 9,370 children went missing in 2022–23, resulting in 29,455 separate incidents, many involving repeat cases.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) data from 2022–2023 indicates that almost two-thirds of all missing person incidents involve children.
Underreporting is a significant issue—charities suggest up to two in three missing incidents are not reported to police, meaning the true number could be substantially higher.
Children missing from care are at particularly high risk, with 1 in 10 looked-after children reported missing compared to 1 in 200 children overall. The most common reasons include family conflict, abuse, neglect, mental health challenges, and child sexual exploitation