This week, one of our supporters, Ann Coffey MP spoke in Parliament about the huge surge in the number of children going missing who are placed in non-local care homes. Figures she obtained from the Department of Education shows a dramatic increase from 4,380 in 2015 to 9,019 in 2017. As chair of the All Party Group for runaway and missing children and adults, she explained how these vulnerable children are at greater risk of sexual exploitation and grooming by criminal gangs to supply firearms and drugs. They are being targeted and preyed upon by paedophiles and criminals. She also raised the subject of County Lines where vulnerable children are being exploited and groomed to sell Class A drugs. Earlier this year the National Crime Agency reported the strong link between children who frequently go missing while performing these dangerous roles. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/social-affairs/children-and-young-people/opinion/house-commons/94960/ann-coffey-mp-thousands