Southampton MP: Missing asylum seeker children 'deeply concerning'

More than 4,600 unaccompanied youngsters have arrived in the UK since July 2021. A total of 400 went missing at some point, and 200 have yet to be located.

The government has rejected claims that children are being kidnapped from hotels being used by the Home Office as emergency accommodation.

Asylum seekers arriving in the UK are being housed in hotels in towns and cities across the UK, including Southampton (Image: PA)

But Royston Smith, Conservative MP for Southampton Itchen, said: "It is deeply concerning that unaccompanied children are missing from emergency asylum accommodation.

"Asylum seekers are not detained within hotel accommodation and are free to leave and return.

"There are safeguarding measures in place to ensure that children in the care of the Home Office are protected as they seek longer-term accommodation.

"I will be writing to the immigration minister to ensure robust safeguarding procedures for children are in place in the hotels in my constituency."

READ MORE: Dolphin Hotel in Southampton being used to house asylum seekers while their applications are assessed

As reported in the Daily Echo, the Home Office is using the Mercure Southampton Centre Dolphin Hotel and the Star Hotel as emergency accommodation centres.

Ministers have not said if any of the asylum-seeking children who have gone missing were staying in the city.

The Dolphin Hotel in Southampton is being used to house asylum seekers wile their claims are assessed (Image: Newsquest.)

According to the Home Office, unaccompanied youngsters are supported by team leaders and support workers, with further care provided social workers and nurses. 

All children receive a welfare interview, which includes questions that aim to identify potential indicators of trafficking or safeguarding issues.

The movement of under-18s in and out of hotels is monitored and recorded. They are also accompanied by support workers when attending organised activities and social excursions off-site.

When a child goes missing a multi-agency response is mobilised to establish their whereabouts and ensure they are safe.

READ MORE: Royston Smith told that Star Hotel in Southampton will also be used to house asylum seekers

A Home Office spokesman said: "The wellbeing of children and minors in our care is an absolute priority.

"Robust safeguarding procedures are in place to ensure all children and minors are safe and supported as we seek urgent placements with a local authority.  

"Any child or minor going missing is extremely serious, and we work around the clock with the police and local authorities to locate them and ensure they are safe. 

"We are determined to stop the use of hotels for all minors.

"To achieve this goal, we are providing local authorities with £15,000 for every unaccompanied child they take into their care."

Southampton City Council declined to comment.

Asylum seekers arriving in the UK are being housed in hotels in towns and cities across the UK, including Southampton (Image: PA)

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