Drug gangs operating in the region are sexually exploiting vulnerable missing children.
Leading figures in Suffolk police's missing persons team have warned that child sexual exploitation has become the 'biggest factor' in cases where a young person goes missing repeatedly – and many cases are linked to drugs.
Detective Inspector Tim Peters told this newspaper young people were often being lured away from home using the temptation of drugs and then being exploited. He said there were 'definite links' with London gangs operating in the region.
'Exploitation seems to have become another part of these gangs criminal behaviour,' he said.
'It's like they enjoy having the power to organise girls in the way they want and abuse them as they wish.'
Many of the children who go missing repeatedly are reported as vulnerable, from troubled backgrounds and 'starved of attention'.
In Norfolk, Sergeant Andrew Hill also said drugs and sexual exploitation were a risk to missing young people. 'London linked drug dealing is one factor and we have good multi-agency arrangements in place to identify and manage that,' he said.
Suffolk police missing persons co-ordinator Det Con Dave King said the children were being lured into dangerous situations by anything from 'McDonald's meals to trainers'.
Many young people from London caught up in the gangs' East Anglia operations have also been reported as missing.
A Norfolk police report into London gangs dealing drugs in other counties found 80pc of police forces identified dealers exploiting children to act as dealers or runners. Ages ranged from 12-18 with 15 to 16 year olds being the most common.
And there have been 11 recent cases of children being used as drug mules in Suffolk, many of them who have grown up in care and originate from London boroughs.
In Norfolk and Suffolk many children who are reported missing go missing repeatedly and police said these were the youngsters most at risk.
In Norfolk 1,063 under 18s were reported missing in 2015/16, around three a day, and 555 children were reported missing at least once a year.
Suffolk police investigated 2,338 missing children cases in the county in 2016 - an average of six a day.
According to a Freedom of Information response from Suffolk Constabulary, the same young person was reported missing on 149 separate occasions between 2011-2016. One young person went missing 79 times last year alone.
Det Insp Peters said: 'We know that when some of these children go missing they are at immediate risk of sexual exploitation.
'It's not just a risk - it's happening. We are now sure that some of these children are being exploited.'
He said officers became aware children were being abused from the information received during 'return home interviews' - which must be offered following a missing episode involving anyone under 18.
He said it was apparent children were 'going into situations and they don't know how to get out of them'.
Both Norfolk and Suffolk police work with their county councils children's services departments to tackle the problem.
In Norfolk, from June to October 2016, children's services early help teams carried out 189 return home interviews and offered support to 103 young people or families who otherwise would have been left without support after being exploited.
Det Insp Peters became so concerned by the number of repeated missing children that he set up a monthly meeting with agencies including police, schools, children and young people's services and Ofsted.
At each meeting, 10 of the most prolific missing children from the previous month are discussed in detail. Partners then determine a plan of action to support the young person and prevent future episodes.
Det Insp Peters said a lot of work was invested in identifying themes and patterns behind a young person's missing episodes - and it appeared to be making a difference.
Jon Brown from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) said: 'We have become more aware of child sexual exploitation in gangs in recent years where children and young people are abused and exploited as part of gang activity.'
•What's being done about it?
The links between children going missing, sexual exploitation and drugs mean police and social services have to work together when youngsters are reported missing.
Norfolk children's services carry out voluntary 'return home interviews' for missing young people when they are found to find out if they've been exploited while away.
In one area of Breckland, a group of around 30 young people and children were often reported at a play area late at night taking drugs and alcohol, going to older people's parties at the weekend and were deemed to be at risk of child sexual exploitation and grooming other young people.
The police, youth offending team and schools were also worried about the group.
The different agencies worked together to help the teenagers and reported that as a result there had been a reduction in reports of missing children, less anti-social behaviour and better performance at school.
•What happens when someone goes missing?
When someone is reported missing to police, a risk assessment is carried out in the control room and set questions are asked of the caller reporting the missing person.
A supervisor in the control room will then assess the risk level for the missing person.
Sergeant Andrew Hill, from Norfolk Police, said: 'If someone calls in to report a person missing and the information gained suggests they need to be treated as a high risk missing person then it is all hands to the pump.'
A search may start immediately but Sgt Hill said it was not just about getting feet on the ground. The Missing People Charity will try to send a message to the person and a press appeal is often sent out asking for the public's help.
When a missing person is found, police will speak to the person about the reasons they went missing and if they have suffered any harm.
When teenagers go missing, they are offered a return home interview.
•Do you have a story which needs investigating? Email tom.bristow@archant.co.uk or call 01603 772834
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