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Page last updated at 08:01 GMT, Monday, 18 June 2012 09:01 UK

'Statistical fog' over children who run away from care

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A damning report says children who go missing from care in England are being systematically failed and put in great danger by the professionals who should protect them.

Labour MP Ann Coffey, who chairs the All party Parliamentary Group for Runaway and Missing Children, says it's "very important we know how many children are running away, why they are and what happens to them".

She told the Today programme that over 46% of children are placed away from their home town and this "increases the likelihood of children running away".

Cllr David Simmonds, chair of the Children and Young People Board, says there is a "statistical fog" and it is "very difficult" to work out the exact numbers of children running away from care homes.


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