NI Has Highest Child Abduction Rate In UK

A new report has said Northern Ireland had the highest rate of child abduction and kidnapping in the UK during 2013/14.

The figures, which have been compiled by charity Parents and Abducted Children Together (PACT), found that the NI rate is also higher than the national average.

The charity reviewed police statistics from throughout the UK, excluding Scotland, and found that in Northern Ireland, there were 11.6 offences per 100,000 children for 2013/14.

These figures include both attempted and successful crime, and compares to rates of 9.8 in London and 9.3 in Yorkshire and the Humber, which PACT said were also high. Wales had the lowest rate of offences.

Despite having the highest child abduction rate in the UK, the number of offences recorded over the last two years has fallen. In 2013/14, 50 child abduction and kidnappings were recorded in the region. The previous year, this figure was 55.

However, nationally, child kidnappings and abductions are said to have actually risen by around one fifth. In the year 2013/14, the figures reveal almost 900 abductions and kidnappings – a 13% increase from the previous year.

Geoff Newiss, Director of Research at PACT, is quoted as saying the increase is "alarming", but the reasons as to why are unclear, and that abduction and kidnapping incidents are still rare.

"It's difficult to say whether this is a consequence of victims being more likely to report crime, changes in the way police record it, or a genuine increase in offending," he added.

(JP/MH)