Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to improve the National Crime Agency's ability to tackle criminal gangs 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.