London's 12,400 runaway children

Most runaways said their parents or carers did not report them missing

About 12,400 of children who live in London run away from home or care before the age of 16, a report by a charity has revealed.

The survey of 100,000 14-16 year olds by The Children's Society, shows one in six youngsters have also slept rough.

A network of refuges is needed for the 100,000 children who run away from home in the UK each year, the charity said.

One children's shelter in London says it will be forced to close by March if it is not given more funding.

Why the Children's Society is calling for more help for runaways

The London Refuge, run by St Christopher's Fellowship, has just six beds but provides safe emergency accommodation for young runaways.

Drugs and prostitution

In 2004, there were over 240 admissions and 490 referrals from police, social services and young people themselves.

Ron Giddons, Director of Children's Services, at St Christopher's Fellowship, said: "The London Refuge provides an invaluable service for young runaways and without further funding it will be forced to close next March and runaway children will be turned away from its doors."

The Children's Society's report also found about 66% of runaways said their parents or carers did not report them missing to the police.

The charity said it was alarmed by this as this puts children at greater risk of being harmed on the streets and forced into criminal activity.

The study found one in 10 runaways had subsequently begged, stolen or got involved in drugs or prostitution.

A petition signed by 100,000 people calling for more government action will be delivered to Downing Street by a group of young runaways on Monday.

The government said it was funding refuges and aiming to tackle the problem.