Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a single co-ordinated unit involving (a) the National Crime Agency, (b) Border Force, (c) the South East regional organised crime unit and (d) local police forces to help tackle gang networks operating around hotels housing unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

The NCA does not investigate missing people.

The wellbeing of children in the care of the Home Office is an absolute priority. Robust safeguarding and welfare procedures are in place to ensure that all children are safe and supported.

The NCA undertakes investigations into complex and serious Organised Immigration Crime offences, arresting offenders in the UK and overseas and bringing them to justice. The NCA also has intelligence and investigative teams that are deployed across the full range of Serious and Organised Crime threats, where tackling Organised Immigration Crime is a priority.

The NPCC and Home Office are focused on the missing child asylum seekers. The Home Office is working closely with policing and local authorities.