SOMEONE was reported missing to West Yorkshire Police every 55 minutes in 2016/17 with 60 per cent of cases involving children or young people, the force has revealed.

It is using International Missing Children’s Day tomorrow to announce a new partnership aimed at encouraging young people to seek help and support rather than run away.

The force is working alongside West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson, the NSPCC, the Missing People charity and all five Local Safeguarding Children Boards on the project.

Statistics shows that about 9,500 people were involved in more than 20,000 missing cases in 2016/17.

West Yorkshire Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster said: “Young people in particular can run away for a variety of reasons - there is no simple reason for why it happens.

“Reasons can include but are not limited to children being at risk of child sexual exploitation, mental health issues and issues around their sexuality. Whilst the reasons may be varied the impact rarely is.

“The impact of the child or young person running away can be terrible. The statistics show that we as a Force deal with a lot of missing children and young people and we see the impact it has, not only upon the individual who goes missing, but their friends and loved ones too.

“That is why we are working with the NSPCC, Runaway Helpline, the Police and Crime Commissioner and all five local Safeguarding Children Boards to support the International Missing Children's Day - to show children and young people thinking of running away that help is available, regardless of the problems they are facing.”

An NSPCC spokesman said: “We know from calls to our Childline service that children go missing for many reasons, including bullying, abuse or being unhappy at home. Whatever a young person is going through, it’s important they remember help and support is always available.

“On International Missing Children’s Day 2017 we would urge anyone who is considering running away to stop and talk to someone, be that a trusted adult or trained counsellors at the runaway helpline. You might feel like there's nowhere else to turn, but running away is never the answer.

“This campaign is vital to reach out to those who feel that their only option is to run away, to assure them there is always another choice.

Adults who are concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline in confidence, 24 hours a day seven days a week, on 0800 808 5000. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk.