CHILDREN reported missing in Pembrokeshire will get new specialist help commissioned by Dyfed-Powys police crime commissioner Christopher Salmon.

In 2014, 29 children and young people under 18 were reported missing in the county, some more than once.

The new £80,000 a year service, delivered by Welsh homelessness charity Llamau, will offer support to those under 18 and speak to them to understand what help they actually need.

It aims to identify trends in situations which prompt young people to run away, pinpoint risks during their time away and study the places they go.

Mr Salmon said: “No-one is more important to us than our children.

“I want to protect those who are at their most vulnerable.

“There are many reasons why young people flee their homes, including sexual exploitation.

“We’ve seen the terrible effects of neglect and official inaction in Yorkshire and Oxford.

“I want us to tackle the causes to make sure children here are safe from harm.

“I’m confident that Llamau, with their experience in helping vulnerable young people, will make a hugely positive contribution to the safety of young people across Dyfed-Powys. Children can talk freely – away from the police – to experts who understand their situation.

“The information they give will allow professionals protecting vulnerable children to make better-informed decisions.”

Frances Beecher, chief executive of Llamau, said: “We are delighted to be delivering this essential new service.

“Children and young people who are missing are in grave danger; it’s essential that we find out why they were missing.

“We can support them to understand the danger they were in, as well as helping them resolve any issues that led to this.

“Their safety is our paramount concern.”

The new service’s face-to-face debriefs, following police referral, will usually be with the young person and may lead to specialist follow-up support. They will take place confidentially in locations across Dyfed-Powys.