CHILDREN potentially at risk of sexual exploitation are going missing at a rate of more than once a day.

Data obtained under freedom of information laws showed children flagged at being at risk of exploitation have gone missing more than 900 times in the last two years.

A total of 923 missing episodes have been recorded by police in the county since officers introduced a CSE marker for missing children in March 2020.

One child flagged as being at risk has gone missing 31 times since that date.

Five children in the county have gone missing 15 times or more.

Campaign group Stop CSE said 'the link between Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and children and young people going missing is inextricable since going missing can be both a cause and a consequence of being sexually exploited'.

Child sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse where a child is coerced into sexual activity.

Cumbria Police said CSE markers were used to initiate wider assessment of risks to children and do not strictly label a child as being at risk of CSE.

The force said specialist officers and partner agencies look at the child's circumstances and assess whether a child is deemed as at risk of CSE and take 'appropriate' action.

Detective Chief Inspector James Yallop said: “All reports of missing children are taken incredibly seriously and the Constabulary’s response to a missing child is swift, robust and comprehensive. 7

"The force has missing, exploited and trafficked coordinators providing specialist support, in addition to specialist safeguarding teams.

“When found, every child reported missing is seen by an officer and the report is reviewed by the specialist officers in Safeguarding Hub. An officer will provide a check on the child called a 'Safe and Well' check and undertake a Return Home interview.

"These actions provide the child with the opportunity to talk about the incident and themselves, allowing officers the opportunity to offer referrals to support services and implement safeguarding where appropriate.

“For children who go missing a trauma informed, multi-agency, problem-solving approach is adopted, to understand the reasons to the behaviour. Through the police and partners, support and safeguarding measures are coordinated and implemented, tailored to the child’s needs.

“We would urge any child considering going missing, or an adult with any concerns for a child, to contact police on 101 or to call ChildLine on 0800 1111 so we can help.”

A Cumbria County Council spokesman said the authority 'takes the safety and protection of all children extremely seriously'.

“In the unfortunate event a child is reported missing from home, a multi-agency response is triggered alongside partners from the police, health and other agencies in line with national guidance," he said.

“Every child who goes missing, regardless of the circumstances, receives a ‘Return to Home’ interview to understand the reasons for the behaviour and ensure high quality, tailored and proportionate support is offered at the earliest opportunity to children, young people and their families."

Contact the Cumbria Safeguarding Hub on 0333 240 1727.