Children’s charity Jigsaw4u launches new service for Young Runaways in Sutton on Thursday 11 March 2010 at Jigsaw4u’s Mitcham office Children’s charity Jigsaw4u (www.jigsaw4u.org.uk) is expanding its successful service for Young Runaways to Sutton, thanks to new three year funding from the Big Lottery, Lloyds TSB and the Safer Sutton Partnership.

Tom Brake MP will be attending the launch of this new service on Thursday 11 March at 4pm at Jigsaw4u’s Mitcham office.

The service will work with young people under 18 years, who have run away from home, and their families/carers to help keep young people safe and preventing them from going missing again.

Leigh Pearson, the Sutton missing person officer, will make referrals directly to Trish Alin, the newly appointed Jigsaw4u project worker. PC Maggie Brownlie, Merton’s Missing Persons Officer says “The police have a duty of care to interview all children who have gone missing once they have returned home, but we found they wouldn't speak to us. Children often view social care and police as authority figures therefore intervention work is needed with the views of an independent person. Jigsaw4u were brought in speak to the children and bridge this gap.” The Metropolitan Police Service has described the Jigsaw4u / Merton partnership as an example of good practice in reducing the number of young people going missing. For more information contact 0208 687 1384; www.jigsaw4u.org.uk