FOI 256976

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 256976

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on .  Please find below the response to your request:

This is a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, relating to investigations into cases of unaccompanied asylum seeking children that have gone missing.

For the purposes of this request, I rely on the Government definition of unaccompanied asylum seeking children [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-children-uasc-grant-instructions/uasc-funding-instructions-to-local-authorities-2023-to-2024-accessible]:

“an individual, who is under 18 when the asylum application is submitted, is not being cared for by an adult who by law has responsibility to do so, is separated from their parents and has applied for asylum in the United Kingdom in their own right.”

Please note there are two parts to this request. The first part is a Yes/No question. If responding to Part 2 takes my request over the cost limit, or is refused under another exemption, I kindly request you respond to Part 1 with a yes/no.

Part 1:
Has your force investigated cases of unaccompanied asylum seeking children reported missing since 1 January 2022 up to the present date (21 June 2023). Please respond with a Yes or No

Part 2:
How many cases of missing unaccompanied asylum seeking children has your force investigated since 1 January 2022 up to the present date (21 June 2023). Please provide a total figure.

Reply

Part 1:
Has your force investigated cases of unaccompanied asylum seeking children reported missing since 1 January 2022 up to the present date (21 June 2023). Please respond with a Yes or No

Yes

Part 2:
How many cases of missing unaccompanied asylum seeking children has your force investigated since 1 January 2022 up to the present date (21 June 2023). Please provide a total figure.

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